Police receive outpouring of support in wake of Dallas

Editor's Note: This story preceded the tragic shootings in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that left three officers dead and another three wounded.

The Monroe City Council took a few moments during the Tuesday, July 12, council meeting to honor and appreciate the Monroe Police Department, commending the entire department for its professionalism and commitment to community policing.

The conversation was spurred by the July 7 attack in Dallas, where a gunman shot 12 Dallas police officers, killing five. Monroe Police Chief Tim Quenzer penned a statement to the entire department, encouraging them to stay committed to their oath in the face of the tragic events. The statement was shared with the council, which reflected on his words.

"We have dedicated our lives and our careers to protect and assist all citizens in any way we can and these murders do not change that in any way,GÇ¥ Quenzer wrote. "Please be safe out there, continue to do your job and know that I and the citizens of Monroe have your back and support your efforts to protect and serve.GÇ¥

Councilmember Kevin Hanford said the assassination of the five officers had been weighing on him heavily. He praised the Monroe Police Department and said he is grateful to live in a city with such a cohesive team of law enforcement professionals. He thanked the chief for his exemplary leadership and echoed the chief's own sentiment, letting him know he and his fellow councilmembers, along with the residents of Monroe, have the department's back.

"I would like to formally commend our chief for addressing the department the way that he did,GÇ¥ Hanford said. "Chief, your leadership, in a tumultuous time, is greatly appreciated.GÇ¥

Monroe officers are well-known for their community spirit. Last September a group of officers stopped by a 4-year-old Monroe resident's birthday party after receiving a request from his mother, singing Happy Birthday to the young man and bringing him gifts and balloons.

Officer Jason Southard has allowed countless kids and adults to interact with his partner, K9 Nuke, frequently appearing at schools and community events. Nuke is extremely social and great during meet-and-greets, said Southard, who loves the opportunity to connect with kids.

In April, Southard worked with Officer Scott Kornish, after Kornish located a stolen bike. Southard had responded to the call when the bike was initially taken, so he recognized its description. He contacted the owner, asking her to come and identify it.

The owner was touched because not only did the Monroe police locate the bike, which had been disassembled, Kornish took the time to put it back together for her.

For the last two years Monroe officers have taken kids holiday shopping during the department's Shop with a Cop event, allowing them to purchase Christmas gifts for themselves and their families. Last October, they removed three young boys from their parents' custody after discovering them living in a car. When they learned that one of the boys was celebrating his sixth birthday that day, they purchased balloons, cake and gifts, and threw him a birthday party at the department.

He told them it was the best birthday he had ever had.

Officer Derrick Lether touched hearts earlier this year when he was photographed signing a condolence card for the family of Grayson Hill, a 2-year-old Monroe boy who died at Woods Creek in January.

Quenzer said since the shooting occurred, the department has received an outpouring of community support. Flowers were anonymously left on the doorstep on Friday, July 8, while other residents have shown their appreciation with written notes of thanks, cards, baked treats, more flowers and original artwork.

"I would like to publicly thank the citizens of Monroe,GÇ¥ Quenzer said. "Since the murder of the five police officers in Dallas on Thursday evening, we have been receiving flowers, pizzas ' you name it.GÇ¥

And the advocacy hasn't come from the usual sources, he said. The police department typically receives a lot of support from the faith community, Quenzer said, but this week they've been flooded with care from individuals, families, kids and business owners.

"I know the officers really appreciate it, as I do,GÇ¥ Quenzer said.

Monroe resident Brenda Ray was one of those supporters. She enlisted the aid of her 7-year-old triplets, Camille, Brelynn and Avery, because she wanted to do something nice for the officers.

"I felt like I needed to do something to support our police officers, so we made brownies and the girls drew pictures,GÇ¥ Ray said. "The girls don't know anything about what has happened across the nation; they just think cops are cool, and I wanted to show the officers that people do care and appreciate them.GÇ¥

Other support for the department was forthcoming on social media. Monroe resident Michelle Gorman wrote about an experience she had with Officer Shaun Van Eaton, who arrived at her home recently in response to her call. Despite the stress of having to call the police because of a negative situation, the experience brightened her entire day, she wrote.-á -á

"I had a super real, genuine, heart-to-heart, human-to-human chat with this wonderful man, face-to-face, about how stressful and underappreciated a job they have,GÇ¥ Gorman wrote.

When she mentioned she and her kids like to visit the station a couple times a year to give their thanks in person, Van Eaton handed her his business card. He invited her to visit while he's on duty, offering to give them a personal tour. The interaction left her feeling completely uplifted, she wrote, and she wanted people to know how meaningful it was.

"I'm so grateful to live in a town with such a strong police department. Thank you Officer Van Eaton and Monroe PD,GÇ¥ she wrote.

Members of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors also expressed their support of the department, during the July 12 chamber luncheon. Board member Adrian Taylor said he had heard of law enforcement supporters placing blue ribbons around trees and light posts in the Seattle area to honor police officers.

"I think it would be neat if somebody would take up that project and get us all started on it,GÇ¥ Taylor said.

President Mike Buse gave his support as well.

"We need to keep in our prayers all the men and women that support each and every one of us and put their lives on the line for us,GÇ¥ Buse said.

For more information about the Monroe Police Department, visit www.facebook.com/MonroeWAPolice.-á