4 Police Officers Killed

[yeahwho]

during an ambush while working on their laptops at a coffee shop up here in the Tacoma area of Washington State. This is coming in on the heels of two Seattle Police officers ambushed less than 30 days ago while sitting in a parked patrol car.

So five police officers in Western Washington have been shot dead in the past month while doing nothing more than either sitting in their patrol cars or having a coffee break with their watch partners.

Breaking News (http://www.kirotv.com/news/21752863/detail.html)

[yeahwho]

The cops have been all over Seattle today, last night they surrounded a house here in Seattle for 5-6 hours. When they stormed the place nobody was inside.

Today has been full of rapid developments and a massive manhunt. They have found a gun at the murder scene brought in by the perp but not too sure if it's the actual murder weapon yet.

Tips keep coming in like crazy, they have a car ID he's driving around in. As I type the cops are up in the U District area of Seattle at a local city park that is pretty well wooded. Following blood stains (the fellow was shot during his ambush).

It's pretty crazy around this town and people are trying to figure out what the hell is going on with all of this insanity.

This is twice within a few weeks a police officers have been shot while just taking a break between calls, ambushed and murdered.

[RobMoney$]

Did you really expect anyone from this forum to be sympathetic towards police?


The blantant disregard for police and authority figures that exists in todays' society sickens me.
I hope these paid civil servants restore peace and order to your area as soon as possible so that the campus liberals can get back to criticizing their every misstep.

[Drederick Tatum]

shut up, Rob.

[yeahwho]

Puget Sound is on hyper alert today. It's a region wide dragnet for what is the worst attack on law enforcement officers in state history. For the past half a day the Police are following every tip. Apparently the perp was shot in the abdomen by one of the officers before that officer then died.

This is a relatively new police force in parkland (2004) and these cops have absolutely nothing to do with anything with the killer other than they happen to have a job that requires protecting you and me from people such as himself.

The suspected killer somehow managed to work the system against itself. What a fucking joke he is a three striker and was wearing a home detention ankle bracelet which he cut off.

Plus a whole litany of repugnant acts (http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=Maurice+Clemmons&num=30&ict=itn1) against humanity.

[RobMoney$]

shut up, Rob.


What, am I lying?

http://www.beastieboys.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=90371&highlight=cop+crime

[Burnout18]

This is horrible, what a fucking failure of the system, from the elected politician to those who sit on the parole board and those who sit on the bench.

[Whatitis]

It's got to feel uneasy for citizens to know that someone out there is targeting the police. There's is a lawlessness to it. They very thing that is supposed to keep the streets safe has been attacked.
As far as politicians getting blamed here, meh, the blame game gets old and there is way more to this than a parole that happened 10 years ago.

My thoughts and prayers to the victims families.

[yeahwho]

This is horrible, what a fucking failure of the system, from the elected politician to those who sit on the parole board and those who sit on the bench.

Agreed.

Three felonies, a violent history and a few days before allegedly gunning down the cops, he made $15,000 bail in Washington on a child rape charge.

Court on the spot after Washington State killings (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2009/11/court_on_the_spot_after_washin.html)

[Burnout18]

Dude am i crazy for thinking that no person accused of a child rape deserves bail?!??! Child Rape!

Sickening.

[saz]

(y)

shut up, Rob.

[ericlee]

this could most likely be a gang initiation.

[yeahwho]

this could most likely be a gang initiation.

That would be one fucked up gang, to think that there is a gang more violent than this one individual is pretty horrific.

On another note though I know that anybody who was even within 100 ft of the suspect the past 37 years is going through the shakedown at this very moment.

It is definitely on in this area, they are going to turn this place upside down in the next 24 hours.

[Documad]

this could most likely be a gang initiation.

It seems unlikely if they have the right suspect here, but our most famous cop murder was indeed a gang initiation. Totally pointless. As here, the cop who was murdered was the sort of cop who would rarely see action -- he wasn't doing drug busts and whatnot. He was a regular cop eating in a restaurant.

This upset me all day long.

[YoungRemy]

the suspect was pardoned and released by then-governor Huckabee in 2000 from crimes committed in 1989.

[yeahwho]

The NYTimes (http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/30/mike-huckabees-burden/) have a ED/OP piece from local author Timothy Egan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Egan) today,

If Huckabee were a liberal and a Democrat, he would be a punching bag for right wing blowhards an example of clueless, soft-on-crime politicians at their worst. Fox News would be stalking him, as they have others responsible for letting criminals out early.

Instead, he’s been allowed to get away with issuing a passive, blame-shifting statement (http://www.huckpac.com/?Fuseaction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=2907). In the release, issued Sunday night, Huckabee takes no personal responsibility for letting Clemmons out early. Instead, he cites “a series of failures in the criminal justice system in both Arkansas and Washington.”

Yes, a series of failures, resulting in the worst act of violence against law enforcement in the history of this state – four officers gunned down in “a targeted, selective ambush,” in Detective Troyer’s words.

A series of failures: starting at the top, with Gov. Huckabee.

PS I'm not trying to make this a left or right issue, just pointing out how blatant politics will pervade this senseless mass murder.

[DroppinScience]

That's a fair point, yeahwho. You know if Huckabee's name were Dukakis, he'd be savaged.

Still, should Huckabee run in 2012, I'm sure this would still be a liability to his campaign.

[RobMoney$]

How's Huckabee "getting away" with anything?

I've seen him being lambasted for this, even by right-wingers.


Also, LOL@ you posting such a slanted article calling out right-wingers and then claiming your desire not to turn it into L v. R.
You're trying to have it both ways.

[yeahwho]

LOL@?

I was responding to a post above mine, in a chronological order. Perhaps if I quoted the previous post it would be elementary enough for you to comprehend.

Someday you too may be able to do something besides just criticize and be contrary. I have to admit though that doesn't seem to be happening very soon. You seem to have an extremely challenging time discerning what people are conversing about.

[yeahwho]

Cop Killer Suspect Dead (http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/lakewood-cop-killer-suspect-maurice-clemmons-killed-police/story?id=9213986)

I don't care if Huckabee is an independent, democrat, socialist nazi palin worshipper when the clemency paper comes across that desk and the inmate hasn't quite served 10% of his 100 year plus sentence, you need to engage the mind. That is something good leaders do.

If Huckabee hadn't done his pardon, there would be four police officers alive tonight and nine children would have their dads or mom still alive.

[Documad]

I don't know the details about what happened in Arkansas, but I feel some level of sympathy for Huckabee. Every time you let anyone out of any kind of facility there's a chance that he/she will hurt someone. It's not like the governor evaluates the cases himself. And we can't lock everyone up forever.

I don't get the news reports that he was pardoned though. To me, that is a really unusual move. That's the kind of thing a governor might do if there is strong evidence that the guy didn't do the crime he was convicted of. Or if he had a minor drug or theft conviction but he's made a dramatic change in his life and you want him to be able to hold a job where you can't have a felony conviction (like army or nursing). I'd like to hear more about what happened here. It might be worth watching the Arkansas papers to see what sort of follow up they do.

Anyhow, if reports like this one (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010393433_webarrest01m.html) are true, the cop who killed this guy will be the biggest hero on the Seattle police force. And they should round up every person who made false reports to police to try to hide the guy.

[DroppinScience]

How's Huckabee "getting away" with anything?

I've seen him being lambasted for this, even by right-wingers.

Yes, but Bill O'Reilly went easy on him. Something he would not have done had Huckabee been a Democrat and not on FOX News.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/30/oreilly-to-huckabee-for-c_n_374812.html

[travesty]

I'd get ready for a lot more of this sort of thing as most states are releasing hordes of prisoners in an effort to "cut the budget", watch out California!

However, getting out on $15k bail for a child rape charge, with that kind of previous rap sheet is inexcusable. That Judge and DA are the ones who need some scrutiny in this thing.

On a side note, to weigh in on the always amusing tradition on this board of jumping to conclusions about the political bent of perpetrators of violence in the news....I bet he was a Democrat :D (or would be if he could vote) and I bet he loves Obama (y)

[Whatitis]

There's a misconception by many that Huckabee pardoned this guy, he was commuted, given a lesser sentence and not forgiven of his crime. And if you truly look at this by case by case and an unbiased eye Clemmons was 17 when he was convicted of his original crime of aggrivated assault and theft. Now given that he was 17 AND givin 95 years for the crime it can seem a bit of a heavy sentence especially compared to many worse crimes that people get off with lesser sentences, even killing someone. Not to mention Clemmons had to be a decent citized in jail to be released because I believe Clemmons still had to pass the parole board. He didn't murder anyone, yet, and there was no way anyone could have predicted he would. So at the time of his initial release it would seem fair to give this kid a second chance at getting a life going. It amazes me that some here can't see that. Now, since his initial release Clemmons violated his parole and went back in, got back out and went back and....all without Huckabee's help. In my opinion the person(s) responsible for granting bail to Clemmons, with 8 felony charges that include assaulting a police officer and second degree child rape hanging over his head and the criminal history he had, they should be the ones getting reemed in the media and should lose thier jobs.

For the record I am not defending Huckabee's many questionable pardons/clemencies. But I do feel strongly that he is not at all resposible for these cops being killed as many want to make it out to be here and in the media.

[hpdrifter]

The thing that I'm wondering about is why it seems so many people risked so much to help him. I mean, does the whole family have a vendetta against the police? Were they just trying to protect someone they loved even if he did terrible things? Who knows? It has been craziness around here.

I wonder if he was planning to kill the cop that ended up shooting him. The article I read said that the cop noticed someone approaching the driver's side window of the patrol car and that's when he got out and confronted him.

Edit: Also, this is my first post in the political forum.

[DroppinScience]

There's a misconception by many that Huckabee pardoned this guy, he was commuted, given a lesser sentence and not forgiven of his crime. And if you truly look at this by case by case and an unbiased eye Clemmons was 17 when he was convicted of his original crime of aggrivated assault and theft. Now given that he was 17 AND givin 95 years for the crime it can seem a bit of a heavy sentence especially compared to many worse crimes that people get off with lesser sentences, even killing someone. Not to mention Clemmons had to be a decent citized in jail to be released because I believe Clemmons still had to pass the parole board. He didn't murder anyone, yet, and there was no way anyone could have predicted he would. So at the time of his initial release it would seem fair to give this kid a second chance at getting a life going. It amazes me that some here can't see that. Now, since his initial release Clemmons violated his parole and went back in, got back out and went back and....all without Huckabee's help. In my opinion the person(s) responsible for granting bail to Clemmons, with 8 felony charges that include assaulting a police officer and second degree child rape hanging over his head and the criminal history he had, they should be the ones getting reemed in the media and should lose thier jobs.

For the record I am not defending Huckabee's many questionable pardons/clemencies. But I do feel strongly that he is not at all resposible for these cops being killed as many want to make it out to be here and in the media.

If you go to my link of Bill O'Reilly's interview with Huckabee, Huckabee made it very clear the circumstances he was under when he commuted the sentence of Clemmons and the overwhelming consensus at the time was that the 95 year sentence was too harsh. Many of the factors you already touched on. The judges granting bail are much more directly responsible, I agree. I don't think he's responsible for this any more than Dukakis was for Will Horton in '88, yet Dukakis never had it as easy as Huckabee. I think I'm well within my rights to ask: "Why?"

[yeahwho]

It has been crazy around here. And to think that part of the reason was a mass murderer had people helping him evade capture. After funneling down the waste of manpower, risk of innocent life and the damage done to our community I can only equate such actions as an assault against society as a whole. His network of friends and family are aiding and abetting as if this is some fucked up game or movie.

Throw the book at them.

The Seattle P.I. has a nice article on the officer who shot Clemmons. Officer who shot Clemmons is hailed as a "hero" (http://www.seattlepi.com/local/412791_kelly01.html?source=mypi).

After an intense, two-day manhunt for Clemmons, Kelly had stopped to check out a stolen car parked on the side of a road in Rainier Valley. Clemmons was outside the car. Kelly recognized him from police bulletins and ordered him to put up his hands, police said. When he refused, Kelly shot Clemmons.

Some Seattle police said Tuesday they believed the South Seattle incident may have been an attempted ambush by Clemmons - a man who had told aquaintances he would hurt cops.

Assistant Seattle Police Chief Jim Pugel said Clemmons approached Kelly from behind and had left the stolen car running with the hood up.

"It was incredible police work. He's an incredible officer. He is nothing short of a hero, although he would bristle at being called that," said Rich O'Neill, president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, explaining that Kelly is a private person.

Plus many up here in this area echo the sentiments of Ken Shram the local gadfly and loudmouth, We don't need to know "why (http://www.komonews.com/opinion/kenschram/78226212.html#idc-container)"

Let’s cut through the crap. I'm glad he's dead.

[yeahwho]

Cop Killer Suspect Dead (http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/lakewood-cop-killer-suspect-maurice-clemmons-killed-police/story?id=9213986)

I don't care if Huckabee is an independent, democrat, socialist nazi palin worshipper when the clemency paper comes across that desk and the inmate hasn't quite served 10% of his 100 year plus sentence, you need to engage the mind. That is something good leaders do.

If Huckabee hadn't done his pardon, there would be four police officers alive tonight and nine children would have their dads or mom still alive.

I stand by that statement with the caveat that the sentence was commuted (not pardoned) and Clemmons was eligible for immediate parole.

Within six months, Mr. Clemmons violated the conditions of his parole, returning to prison in July 2001 for aggravated robbery. When he was paroled again by the state in 2004, the police in Little Rock served a warrant on him related to a 2001 robbery. But a lawyer for Mr. Clemmons argued that too much time had elapsed since the warrant was issued, and prosecutors dropped the charges.

Then came Seattle and last May; Four days in May set stage for Sunday's tragedy (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010392869_shootingjustice01m.html)

[travesty]

I don't much care for Mike Huckabee but at least in the O'Reilly interview he was willing to own his part in this trajedy and seemed remorseful and apologetic about it. It seemed sincere to me but what do I know. I don't know whether Dukakis immediately took responsibility or not, but if not maybe that had something to do with the discrepancy in treatment. Also, had this happened during Huckabees Presidential candidacy, he would have been skewered more earnestly. It's all very sad. Every time some d-bag gets out erroneously and does stupid shit like this I can't help but think about the other side where innocent people rot in prison due to some similar "judicial technicality" or fucked up legal procedure.

[Documad]

I'd advise any of our board members who get stopped by police in the Seattle/Tacoma area to cooperate fully. This would be a really bad time to be a smartass. :p

Cops shouldn't shoot suspects who fail to raise their hands (if those are the complete facts), but this officer will certainly be exonerated. I'm glad for his sake that the dead suspect was found with one of the slain officers' guns.

[yeahwho]

47 pictures (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/photogalleries/localnews2010453392/1.html)from memorial service for the fallen police officers here in Washington State, 12/8/09.

20,000 Police officers (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010453457_webmemorial08m.html) attended the service with a procession of 2000 police cars from all across the continent.

[Documad]

47 pictures (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/photogalleries/localnews2010453392/1.html)from memorial service for the fallen police officers here in Washington State, 12/8/09.

Well, that made me cry.

[travesty]

It's a shame that each and every one of our fallen soldiers doesn't get the same send off.

[DroppinScience]

47 pictures (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/photogalleries/localnews2010453392/1.html)from memorial service for the fallen police officers here in Washington State, 12/8/09.

20,000 Police officers (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010453457_webmemorial08m.html) attended the service with a procession of 2000 police cars from all across the continent.

Wow, that was a lot of Mounties in those photos!