Updated on Sunday, December 14, 2008 Please scroll to the end for the update.
Though I no longer live there (I don’t live in any town, for that matter), I still think of Woodburn as my home town (although Molalla is closer by four miles or so). Thus, last evening’s events seem particularly close to home.
From The Woodburn Independent:
The Woodburn Independent has learned through various sources that a Woodburn police officer has been killed and Woodburn Police Chief Scott Russell was seriously injured in the bomb blast.
Newer info from The Oregonian:
The bomb detonated around 5:30 p.m. at the bank in the 2500 block of Oregon 214.
Oregon State Police authorities this morning confirmed the death of its bomb technician. Authorities have not released the names of the officers.
I wonder if the dead Woodburn officer is one of those I have thanked for his service. I’ll try to remember to thank law enforcement folks more often.
To all law enforcement personnel, thanks for your service! Likewise to all other first responders.
And may God be especially near those who have lost a loved one, a friend, a comrade.
And may He grant whole-being healing to the injured.
Original post date (for the above): December 13 at 7:58 am Pacific
Update
The Oregon State Police released biographical information for Sr. Trooper William “Bill” Hakim and Woodburn Police Capt. Tom Tennant, who both died in a bomb explosion at West Coast Bank in Woodburn Friday, and Woodburn Police Chief Scott Russell, who is in critical condition at OHSU Hospital.
What I’m interested in here isn’t each one’s bio, but his family.
Oregon State Senior Trooper William “Bill” Hakim (51) is survived by his wife and a 16-year old son and 18-year old daughter. (It had been over seven years since an Oregon State trooper died in the line of duty.)
Woodburn Police Captain Tom Tennant (51) is survived by his wife Mary and three children (Becky, Jennifer, Scott) 24, 22, and 17.
Woodburn Police Chief Scott Russell (46) is married and has two daughters, ages 12 and 10.
Update source: The Oregonian
What if one or more of the men did not have families? From my past experience, Anabaptists would value them less both while they were alive and when they had died.
You cannot put a price on valor.