LPIG

July 30, 2010

MEMBER RESOURCES

February 16, 2010

Dear Community,

On 11/29/09, a horrible tragedy occurred in the Lakewood community when four of our Lakewood Police Officers were senselessly gunned down while having morning coffee. The four Officers, Sgt. Mark Renninger, Ofc. Tina Griswold, Ofc. Ronnie Owens, and Ofc. Greg Richards, were all outstanding people who gave all to their community. Their sacrifice left nine children without their mother or father.

The community responded with a fervor and magnitude no one ever would have predicted. Immediately after this event, the LPIG Charitable Fund opened a separate account for the outpouring of monetary donations that flooded in to be held in trust for the nine children left behind.

Because of the generosity of the Lakewood community and beyond, on February 2^nd, 2010, the LPIG Charitable Fund deposited $2,129,968.42 into the Lakewood Fallen Four Officers Children’s Trust Fund. Due to the huge amount of volunteer effort, 99.8 % of all donations went directly into the fund.

Based on the advice of a certified financial planner, we feel we have fully funded the Fallen Four Officers Children’s Trust Fund for these children. As such, we are now closing this fund to future donations. Because of this event, we have recognized the need to maintain an ongoing fund to help out Officers and their immediate family in times of need. These Officers put their lives on the line for us every day without regard for their own safety. Their families make additional sacrifices along with their Police Officer. They are there 24 hours a day to give a helping hand to those in need. We feel that we should do whatever we can to make sure these Officers and their families are given a helping hand in their times of need.

From this point forward, we have decided to maintain two separate funds: the LPIG Charitable Fund, to assist future Officers who are injured or killed, and the LPIG Make a Difference Fund. The Make a Difference Fund will continue our original efforts to make a positive impact in our community while the Charitable Fund will help take care of our fallen heroes. Any donations received after February 28^th, 2010, will be placed in the new LPIG Charitable Fund.

The Lakewood Police Independent Guild Charitable Fund was founded in 2008 by Police Officers of the Lakewood Police Independent Guild who wanted to help make our community stronger and safer. We focus on helping those in need in our community by providing holiday meals, fun events for children, and other charitable activities. We have named this the Make a Difference Fund.

The Make a Difference Fund is named after Ofc. Ronnie Owens. Several weeks ago, Ronnie’s sister, Ronda, was organizing the belongings in his house. She had worked in his house all day before the pain, grief, and exhaustion of losing her brother finally caught up with her. Overcome by grief, she went into the kitchen to take a break and recompose herself. She opened a kitchen drawer, and there on a yellow notepad, were the words, “Make a Difference.” This note had been written by Ronnie sometime before he was killed. There was nothing else on the notepad, just these words. Ronnie supported our charity by playing in our annual fundraiser, the Helmets vs. Shields Basketball game for the past 5 years. So, we have decided it was fitting to rename our original fund the LPIG “Make a Difference” Fund in honor of Ronnie. Even though he may not be with us any longer, Ronnie will continue to “Make a difference” in our community through this fund in his honor.

We would like to ask that if anyone would like to contribute, they make a donation to the LPIG Charitable Fund or the Make a Difference Fund. Donations may be made at any Columbia Bank branch or our website, www.LPIG.us.

Tim Borchardt – Director

Charles Porche – Dep. Director

John Unfred – Secretary/Treasurer

Mike Jankelson – Citizen-At-Large

(253) 320-4393

LPIG Charitable Fund Donations

To donate online to the LPIG Future Fallen or Injured Officer Fund Click Here.

What's New at LPIG

Memorial Coins

Posted On: Jan 09, 2010 (14:07:00)

There have been numerous inquires in regards to the LPIG memorial coin in honor of our fallen. We are currently in the process of developing the coin and they will be available in the future for outside agency purchase. Please check back soon for details of purchase through our website. Thanks.

Overwhelming support

Posted On: Nov 30, 2009 (22:57:49)

Words alone cannot begin to describe how much donating means to not only the fallen officer’s families, but to each and every Lakewood Officer. The comments that are sent along with each donation are personally read by me. Many times I have had to stop and recompose myself, because of the overwhelming support and compassion displayed by the generous community supporting us during this difficult period. Please continue to support our fallen officers and their families by donating anything that you can.

Skeeter Manos

LPIG Treasurer

Stories of our fallen

Updated On: Nov 30, 2009 (19:41:00)

Click on the donation button above to donate to the familes of the fallen.

We lost our brothers and sister yesterday. We have not slept and to be honest I do not know what more I am able to do. I do not want to sleep; we want this criminal brought to justice. Like my members with attest I will sit at my computer and write to them when I need to put it out there. Tonight I will write to them and anyone else who will listen about our four heroes. I will not get into why this suspect was out on the streets in this writing but that time will come. Instead I would like to share a couple comments about our friends who were taken away from us and their loved ones. I have never cried like I have over the past 16 hours and I hope sharing a couple things about these individuals will bring those citizens we are truly proud to serve closer to us.

All of us started together with the exception of Mark who came on a couple months later. Mark is that guy who is the go to guy for everything. He was the most competent and tactically proficient man I ever knew in police work. I do not say this because he was killed and that is something you should say. Everyone in our department and all who knew Mark know this was true. He simply could take any training situation and make it work no matter what group he was teaching. This was the last guy any of us thought would have died like this. There is no doubt in my mind he did not see anything coming.

As the Range master I went to Mark for advice on how to train our officers on the range. Mark never belittled anyone but he was a true east coast guy. He told it how he saw it and you always knew where you stood with him. Mark was on the LPIG E board and was the savviest negotiator I have ever met. I know for sure every attorney in our law firm is weeping today, I will save the attorney jokes but I am being honest. To the members of Metro SWAT we can only cry with you, you all know what we know when it comes to Mark. Mark had that spark that made you like him and respect him. He was truly a rock in our department, someone you always counted on. Mark has three kids and a great wife that the toughest cop I knew softly spoke about. Mark is in heaven standing guard at the gate. I know this is true.

Ronald Owens, or Ronnie to all of us, was the laid back dirt bike riding, surfer hair having cop, you would always want at a party or with you on any call. Though he had a laid back perspective he was sharp and an extremely dedicated and hard worker. Ronnie was a go to guy for having a friend in any business that could help us out. Ronnie enjoyed riding with us at Tahuya State Park and in fact we were just setting up another ride next week, his personality made everyone around him feel positive. I can get worked up about politics pretty quickly. Ronnie was my calm down guy, an even keel who was able to put a perspective on things with few words. Ronnie has a beautiful little daughter. We love you brother.

Tina was our conservative friend. She was excited to be a part of the Olympia Tea Parties and proudly stated why she got involved in politics over the past year. Tina was sharp too, only a couple mornings ago we had a great discussion on the future of our Republic and how we felt true limited government conservatives should take back out political party. If you wanted any details over the massive government spending she would have them for you. If anyone thinks these comments are off color then you did not know Tina well. She would tell you where you could go and like Mark you always knew where you stood with her. She was the toughest little cop I have ever known. Tina has two children and a husband who loves her deeply. My gut hurts that I missed your Halloween party this year. Your memory and strength will help guide our movement to retake our party, this I promise you.

Greg Richards was the drummer in a rock band you would never know was a drummer in a rock band. Greg was a great cop who cared about one thing above all else, his family. He was a proud dad to three kids and wanted nothing more than to spend all of his time off with his wife and kids. Greg and I spent some one on one time together recently at an overtime assignment where he talked mostly about his family, he was obviously so proud. I will always remember this summer when you and your band rocked the house for our member with all proceeds going to charity when he was in the hospital. Yantzerpaloza will take on new meaning for us in the coming years. For someone who does not have much hair, you helped me put it down for a night.

As our Department weeps we know our brothers and sisters are in a place where people don’t come in a calm place and take your life because of the shield you wear or the basic oath we took. This will never make sense to us, it can’t. There will never be an explanation that works that will heal us. We can simply hope to take this senseless act of evil and turn it around to motivate our other officers, elected officials, and our entire community to keep make sure these parolees stay in prison and our communities stay safe. These predators who should be locked up commit the bulk of all of the crime against us. We will make sure your families are taken care of and do everything in our power to give your children a college education. God bless you Mark, Greg, Tina, and Ronnie boy. We cannot stop crying and we cannot stop hurting right now. WE love you all.

Brian D. Wurts, President

Lakewood Police Independent Guild

LPIG Press Release

Updated On: Nov 30, 2009 (00:27:00)

Please click on the link above for a secure and quick online donation to the officers families.

Lakewood Police Independent Guild Press Release

This morning a complete coward and threat upon all of society took the lives of four of my Guild members and your sworn protectors in a cold blooded assassination. As I write this I am numb. We were dealt a nasty blow, good men and women I have had the honor of knowing for years are senselessly gone. There is no way to comprehend it, to validate it, or to make sense of any of it. You cannot understand evil like this, as a community we must form a solid bond against criminals and hold them accountable. I know my members and can say with certainty that as a group we will remain professional and will continue to work to protect those of you we have taken an oath to protect.

If you know a cop tell them how much you appreciate them, it truly keeps us going. Our job can be a routine at times and simply terrifying without a moments warning at others. As we seek to hold this cop killer accountable we must also hold our elected officials accountable to keep violent predators off of our streets. They do not only prey on officers, they prey on our community daily and are responsible for the vast majority of crime in our neighborhoods.

Please pray for these officers and their families. All of them had significant others and children who are left behind along with countless family members. As a Guild we will do anything we can. If you wish to donate to the families our Guild has an account for this purpose. Every penny will go to the families; if you want to donate to a specific officer you can write his or her name in the memo section. If the check is made out to LPIG at PO Box 99579 Lakewood, WA 98499, I will personally make sure it goes where it is intended. Our site administrators are working on secured online donation button on the our site as this is being written. By tomorrow we should also have a donation option at Bank of America. May God bless you four who are in a place so much better than this; you are some of the finest professionals I have ever known. God bless our community today.

Brian D. Wurts, President

Lakewood Police Independent Guild