Compliment - Trooper Russ Sanders

The following e-mail was received by District 4 command in response to the actions of Trooper Russ Sanders:

I just wanted to give a compliment and a big thank you to the patrolman who helped us out last night!

He happened to pull up at the business next door to grab a sandwich when we caught a girl stealing.

For having to jump into our situation quickly he handled it perfect!

Thank you again!

Davice Johnson
Liberty Lake, WA

Dahl graduates from FBI National Academy.

Two hundred and fifteen law enforcement officers graduated December 19th, 2014 from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia. One of those was WSP’s own Captain Michael Dahl of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau.

Captain Dahl was also tapped to be the class spokesperson at graduation, and was one of nine students selected by the instructional staff as Distinguished Graduates.

The 258th Session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 49 states and 26 international countries.  Included in the class were members of law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia, three military organizations, and four federal civilian organizations.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program, held at the FBI Academy, offers 11 weeks of advanced leadership, investigative, management, and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies.  On average, these officers have 19 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

FBI Director James Comey, was the principal speaker at the ceremony.

Training for the program is provided by the FBI Academy instructional staff, Special Agents, and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise.

Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia due to the accreditation by the university of the many courses offered. 

A total of 47,898 graduates now represent the FBI National Academy since it began in July 1935.  Of this number, approximately 16,233 are still active in law enforcement work.

Lean culture and the Seahawks

By Stew Henderson
Results Washington Lean Fellow

You may not think of linebackers and Lean, but much of Seahawks’ Coach Pete Carroll’s management style – and the team’s success – comes straight out of the Lean playbook. Consider:
Empower front-line staff: Known as a “player’s coach,” Carroll knows that empowered players are more engaged, invested and bring their full genius to the field.

Speed wins: Seahawks recruiting generally favors speed over size and strength. Why? Because speed wins. Opposing quarterbacks can make perfect throws, but Seahawks’ defenders react, adjust and intercept. In government, the tendency is often to go slow, be cautious, study things and try to find a “perfect” solution. But Lean teams succeed by moving fast to prototype a new process, test it with customers and quickly improve it. The first draft might be ugly, but a Lean team is on a much-better fifth iteration while an old-model team is still deliberating about theoretical perfection.

It’s all about continuous improvement: The Hawks started the season at 3-3. But Coach Carroll kept the focus on learning and improving.

Trust the process: Lean’s not about heroics. It’s about defining a process and repeating it consistently.

A Lean football team like the Seahawks doesn’t win the game on Sunday; they win it in practice the week before.

Go Lean!

In Memoriam - Trooper Clayton Gocha III

The family of Trooper Clayton Gocha provided this statement to the community following Trooper Gocha's untimely passing on Jan. 12, 2015

The family of Trooper Clayton Gocha would like to express our appreciation to the Washington State Patrol and Yakima Police Department. Their willingness to support and honor Clayton epitomizes the love and respect he has earned. Clayton served this country as a United States Marine for 13 years before protecting this state as a trooper for 17 years. Throughout this time he was a loving husband, an amazing father to four children and a fun-loving granddad to three little ones.

Family was the most important thing in his life which spread to his "blue" family as well. He gained a new family in the Patrol but especially loved his brothers and sisters in Detachment 2. He enjoyed golfing, watching the UK version of "Top Gear" and travelling. His family and friends love him, and will continue to honor his legacy of compassion and no frills dedication to family and community.

---

Official Resume of Trooper Clayton Gocha III

Clayton was born on May 2, 1966, in Pontiac, Michigan.  He graduated from Bishop Gallagher High School in Harper Woods, Michigan. 

Clayton served 13 years in the United States Marine Corps as a Flight Equipment Mechanic Staff Sergeant.  While in the Marine Corps, Clayton was awarded four Good Conduct Medals, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, National Defense Service Medal, Certificate of Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, three Rifle Expert Badges, and Pistol Expert Badge.

• Clayton began working for the Washington State Patrol on July 10, 1998, as a Trooper Cadet, assigned to the Training Division.

• Clayton graduated with the 82nd Trooper Basic Training Class and was commissioned on March 1, 1999, assigned to Bellevue.

• On October 17, 2002, Clayton transferred from Bellevue to Tacoma East.

• In September of 2006, Clayton was awarded a Chief’s Coin.

• On September 16, 2008, Clayton transferred from Tacoma East to Tacoma.

• On March 16, 2011, Clayton transferred from Tacoma to Yakima.

• On December 7, 2011, Clayton transferred from Yakima to Tacoma.

• On June 16, 2013, Clayton transferred from Tacoma to Yakima.

Clayton passed away on Monday, January 12, 2015, in Yakima, Washington, after serving over 16 years with the Washington State Patrol.  He will be dearly missed by his Washington State Patrol family.

Clayton is survived by his wife, Laura, sons Craig (Amy) and Clayton IV, daughters Breanna and Christin (Sergeant Kelly N. Gregerson), and grandsons Hunter and Jeremy.

# # #

Retirement - Fred. R. Roberts

Fred R. Roberts retired from the Washington State Patrol on Jan. 15, 2015.

Fred was born in Detroit, Michigan, and graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  He attended Florida State University and the University of Florida, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration. 

Fred served as the Assistant Director of Security and Intelligence at Fort Sam Houston for 6 months.  He also worked as a diver out of Cape Canaveral recovering some of the first animals launched into space.  

• Fred began his career with the Washington State Patrol May 2, 1983, as a Management Analyst 1 assigned to the Electronic Services Division in Bellevue.

• This position was reallocated to a Telecommunications Analyst on September 11, 1984, and relocated to Olympia on October 7, 1988.  This position was reallocated again as an Information Technology Systems Specialist 3 on July 1, 1999, and as an Information Technology Specialist 3 on June 1, 2005. 

Fred leaves the agency after more than 31 years of dedicated service to the Washington State Patrol and to the citizens of the state of Washington. 

Compliment - Trooper Enpart Kociaj

The following letter was received by D7 command to compliment the work of Trooper Enpart Kociaj on Jan. 6, 2015

Dear WSP:

A special thank you to Trooper Kociaj #746 for his extreme kindness and helpfulness on Sat. the 6th. I was driving south on D-5 close to the 128th St. entrance when I had a blow out of the left front tire forcing me off to the shoulder of the road. It was raining and there was very heavy traffic. I turned my flasher on, and after about two minutes started waving a cane out my window.

Officer Kociaj arrived, installed my spare tire, and had me follow him to the nearby Les Schwab Store. He was my angel that day and I'm so grateful to him. You are indeed Service with Humility.

Sincerely,

Gloria Snow

Retirement - Paul A. Sanger

Paul A. Sanger retired from the Washington State patrol on Jan. 11, 2015.

Paul was born in Santa Rosa, California and graduated from Armijo High School in Fairfield, California. He honorably served in the United States Army for 5 years. 

• Paul began his employment with the Washington State Patrol on January 12, 1990, as a Trooper Cadet assigned to Mansion Security in Olympia.

• He was commissioned as a Trooper with the 71st Trooper Basic Training class on February 9, 1991, assigned to District 2 Bellevue.

• On March 30, 1992, Paul transferred to Shelton and then in October 17, 1994, he transferred to Bremerton. 

• Paul transferred to Gig Harbor on July 2, 1999 and then on August 23, 2000, he transferred back to Bremerton.

• On February 19, 2002, he was selected as a Problem Oriented Public Safety (POPS) trooper for Poulsbo.

• Paul transferred back to Gig Harbor on July 16, 2007 and then on April 1, 2012 he transferred back to Shelton.

The citizens of Washington thank Paul for his more than 25 years of dedicated service.

Retirement - Jeffrey E. Swanson

Jeffrey E. Swanson retired on Dec. 31, 2014 after 18 years of dedicated service to the Washington State Patrol and to the citizens of the state of Washington. 

Jeff was born in Bellevue, Washington, and graduated from Valley Christian School in Snoqualmie, Washington.  He has an Associate of Arts degree in Administration of Criminal Justice; a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies; and a Master’s degree in Public Administration. 

Prior to working for the Washington State Patrol, Jeff was employed for almost 9 years with the Issaquah Police department.

• Jeff began his employment with the Washington State Patrol as a Trooper Cadet on January 13, 1997, assigned to Bellevue Communications. 

• He was commissioned with the 81st Trooper Basic Training Class on May 1, 1998, assigned to Bellevue.  While in Bellevue, he was also assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Division.

• On November 16, 2006, Jeff promoted to RCW Sergeant, remaining in Bellevue.

• Jeff transferred to Ellensburg on August 1, 2008.

• He promoted to RCW Lieutenant on April 1, 2013, assigned to the Special Operations Division.

• On January 13, 2014, Jeff transferred to the Criminal Investigation Division.

Jeff transferred to Bellevue on February 18. 2014, where he remained for the rest of his career. 

Retirement - Tyler L. Fryberger

Tyler L. Fryberger retired on December 15, 2014 after 25 years of dedicated service to the Washington State Patrol and to the citizens of the state of Washington.

Tyler was born in Port Orchard and graduated from Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Montana.  He proudly served in the United States Navy for four years. 

• Tyler began his employment with WSP on January 12, 1990, as a Trooper Cadet assigned to Mansion Security. 

• On February 9, 1991, he graduated with the 74th Trooper Basic Training Class and was assigned to Bellevue.

• He transferred to Goldendale on July 1, 1992.

• Tyler received a WSP commendation for efforts in saving a person from drowning in the Columbia River on June 20, 1997.

• On May 4, 1998, Tyler transferred to Ritzville.

• He began a temporary appointment as an instructor with the Training Division on January 2, 2001. On February 16, 2002, he returned to Ritzville.

• Tyler was given an Everyday Hero of Adams County Award by Governor Gary Locke on September 11, 2002.

• In 2004, Tyler  again earned a commendation for efforts to rescue a driver from his vehicle.

• Tyler received a WSP commendation a third time for life-saving actions on July 26, 2005.

• On July 16, 2006, transferred to the Training Division as a driving instructor. Tyler returned to Ritzville on July 16, 2007.

• He began a temporary assignment as an instructor with the Training Division on May 1, 2008. On December 1, 2008, Tyler returned to Ritzville.

• He received a commendation for efforts in traffic safety programs in 1994, 2002, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

• Tyler was awarded 2013 Trooper of the Year.

In his role asTrooper of the Year, one of Tyler's last tasks for the agency was personally driving, from Florida, a new Ford Interceptor patrol vehicle that the agency won from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Promotion - Benjamin L. Lewis

Benjamin L. Lewis was promoted to RCW Sergeant effective October 1, 2014, assigned to Marysville. 

Ben was born in Lubbock, Texas and graduated from Colton High School in Colton, Oregon.  Ben went on to get his Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Forensic Science from Western Oregon University.

·       Ben began his career with the Washington State Patrol on July 5, 2005, as a Trooper Cadet assigned to the Training Division and later Labor and Industries security.

·       He graduated with the 93rd Trooper Basic Training Class and was commissioned on November 1, 2006, assigned to Marysville.

·       On April 16, 2008, Ben transferred to Shelton.

·       While a Trooper in Shelton, Ben assisted the department by becoming a collision technical specialist, district EVOC instructor, and a motorcycle Trooper.

·       Ben was selected as an instructor at the Training Academy in Shelton on July 16, 2013.

Ben would like to thank:

·       His wife Megan for all her love and support.

·       His folks and in-laws for their support.

·       To all those who inspired and guided him on the path to sergeant.

WSP Memorial Foundation Scholarships

The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation (WSPMF) Scholarship Program is offering ten renewable $1,000 scholarships per year (maximum of four years) to be used for tuition, fees, or books.

Who May Apply:

• -- Any contributing member of the WSPMF who is on active, retired or disability status with the Washington State Patrol, their spouse or their dependent child.
• -- Any surviving dependent of a WSP employee who was active, disabled or retired at the time of their death, who is a contributing member of the WSPMF. A surviving dependent is defined as the living spouse  who was married to the decedent at the time of his/her death, and the decedent was active, disabled or retired, at the time of his/her death; surviving children is defined as a natural child(ren), step child(ren) or adopted child(ren) of decedent as defined above.

Awardees must be pursuing a university/college degree or vocational certification as an enrolled student. A dependent child must be at least a senior in high school to apply. Please see application packet for full details.

Applications will be screened by a non-departmental scholarship committee. They will be evaluated by the following criteria:

• 70% Financial Need/Essay
• 30% Answers to the Questionnaire

 

Deadline: Completed applications must be received by the Memorial Foundation by April 1, 2015 by 5:00 pm, to be considered. Faxed or email documents will not be accepted.  Applications are available at the following locations:

District Secretaries Denise Poe – OPS

Debbie Patterson – Academy

Sharon Phillips – Memorial Foundation

 

If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Phillips at (360) 597-4411 or email her at Sharon@wspmf.org

A "Thank You" 73 years in the making

The following Thank You letter was received recently at WSP Headquarters. The Deputy Chief has responded to let Mr. West know we appreciate his good thoughts.

Dear Sir:

Many years ago, in the spring 1942, I was involved in an automobile accident near Fife, one of those chain reaction events. It was early in the morning, about seven o'clock, we were all going to work. A bus had stopped suddenly in front of a pick-up which of course had to stop.

While this was going on, there was another accident just off to our right. I took my eyes off the road for a fraction of a second, to see the original accident. I then crashed into the pickup.

If it had not been for the prompt action of one your state patrol officers, I would most likely have lost my eye-sight.

I have always regretted not thanking your patrolman for his quick action. So, I want to say now THANK YOU. I am sure he is long gone, but he is not forgotten. At present; I am 91.

A few months later, in October 1942, I joined the navy and served overseas through to the end of the Korean 'police' action. Did I ever rack up the points.

Sincerely,

Gerald West
Seattle, WA

Service Pins - 1Q 2015

The following individuals will receive service pins for the listed years of service during the first quarter of 2015. We offer congratulations, and thank them for their service.

55 Years
Gerow, Roger

35 Years
Bancroft, Donald
Cardinal, Craig

30 Years
Mc Avoy, Edward
Martin, Jon
Speer, Jeffrey
Hattell, George

25 Years
Hoyt, Jared
Cooper, Amelia
Viray, Emma
Burress, Karen
Lewis, Robert
Devere, Jeffrey
Rupert, Michael
Scherf, David
Ross, Joseph
Sterkel, Mel
Orf, Troy
Hanna, Michael
Reisdorph, Karey
Fryberger, Tyler
Hirz, Mark
Snowden, Ronald
Bohling, Robert
Van Weerdhuizen, TJ
Goodall, Maurice
Meldrum, Jeffrey
Dell, Brent
Sanger, Paul
Jones, Robert
Klukas, Kenneth
Schlesselman, David
Barger, Marc

15 Years
Lynch, Bethany
Sweet, Franklin
Perry, Jennifer
Bowen, Ronald
Nicholson, Steen
Grayless, Colleen
Reid, Steven
Collins, Lisa
Garrido, William
Moe, Deborah
Martz, Danielle
Fritz, Kathleen
Pham, Michelle
Bendiksen, Shannon
Gregerson, Kelly
Brock, Anthony
Zeller, Rhonda
King, Nicholas
Kingman, Corey
Haddenham, Andrew
Ferrell, Dawn
Rudy, Michael
Manning, James

10 Years
Stevens, Andrew
Smith, David
Whitaker, Daryl
Petrinovich, Paul
Reed, Andrew
Webber, Sarah
Van Wyk, Daniel
Peterman, Debra
Nuxoll, Jeffery
Kreitzberg, Cynthia
Randall Vradenburg, Amy
Scartozzi, Howard

5 Years
Nichols, Kara
Lewis, Megan
Hillock, Anthony
Tardiff, Jennifer
Ables, Sarah
Hurst, Louis
Miller, Dilcia
Kelly, James
Trebaczewski, Joanna
Thygesen, Mary