Thursday, November 5, 2009
City Friday Memorial for Officer Brenton
Posted by Dominic Holden on Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Says the Seattle Police Department:
A memorial procession along city streets for Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton will be held on Friday, November 6. Approximately 1,000 to 1,500 vehicles will depart at 9:00 a.m. from the University of Washington and will travel to a service for the slain officer at Key Arena.During the procession, which is expected to last from 9:00 a.m. to noon, other traffic will not be allowed on the route and will not be allowed to cross it. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) advises travelers to expect severe congestion near its path, especially as mourners are also anticipated along its course. [...]
The public memorial service at Key Arena will begin at 1:00 p.m., with doors opening at 11:00 a.m.
More info on the route and service is over here.
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1
totally excessive and an undue inconvenience on the people of the city. I'm sorry the guy got shot but really... cutting the city in half from the U district to lower Queen Anne for three hours... not to mention all the cops involved who'll be collecting overtime, etc. managing this... I just can't get on board for this. Not to mention all the histrionic conversion of someone who was likely a decent man but essentially just unlucky into some sort of "hero" just furthers the destruction of any meaning left in the word. Flame away
2
How about instead of clogging the city's streets all morning these people get back to work. You know, like solving unsolved murders and all that other stuff.
3
i think it's great. the guy lost his life in the line of duty to the city, it's the least we can do giving him a big ceremony and send off.
tip your hat in respect if you see the precession go by. the slight bit of inconvenience for you is massively overshadowed by the loss of his family.
tip your hat in respect if you see the precession go by. the slight bit of inconvenience for you is massively overshadowed by the loss of his family.
4
@3, exactly. This was a man with a family, who served his duty in a difficult and often criticized job. He was, by all accounts, one of the "good ones." I mean no disrespect, but when you compare the inconvenience of this type of memorial to the one for Michael Jackson, I think it's a more sincere show of respect.
5
That's pretty much right when I need to get from the U District to Lower Queen Anne. Shit, I might as well walk, or not go to work.
6
@ 1, the route actually crosses the Montlake bridge and goes through Capitol Hill to Denny.
I'm kinda with you; I understand the need for the procession and it's size (nearly every police and sheriff's department in WA will be represented, along with a ton of out-of-state cops), but they could run around Northlake to Westlake and inconvenience fewer people and businesses.
I'm kinda with you; I understand the need for the procession and it's size (nearly every police and sheriff's department in WA will be represented, along with a ton of out-of-state cops), but they could run around Northlake to Westlake and inconvenience fewer people and businesses.
7
Any murder of a good person is a huge loss to family and community but why don't we shut down city streets for all of them? I mean no disrespect, but cops make a decision to be PAID to put themselves in dangerous situations. When one inevitably gets killed on the job that is sad but actually less "heroic" or tragic than when it happens to someone else.
8
Maybe someday we'll be lucky and cops will be killed on a monthly basis, thus sparing us these nasty traffic backups.
9
WTF? This guy was killed in cold blood representing YOU. That's US who got shot out there. So he makes your trip across town a little longer. So what?
10
@8
Actually if cops are killed on a monthly basis that will create monthly traffic backups. Perhaps that's their form of collective punishment for cop-killers that get away?
Actually if cops are killed on a monthly basis that will create monthly traffic backups. Perhaps that's their form of collective punishment for cop-killers that get away?
12
@3 @4 @ 9 - exactly. This is also our opportunity to honor ALL of those who have died in the line of duty and to say thank you to everyone who continues to serve.
13
It's only an "inconvenience" if you're not bright enough to plan ahead. Thanks for the heads-up, SLOG.
14
@10
I lived in DC during the Marion Barry years. Eventually they had the routine down cold. Very efficient.
I lived in DC during the Marion Barry years. Eventually they had the routine down cold. Very efficient.
15
@7
Maybe we should shut down city streets for everybody's funerals? It'd encourage people to bike:)
Maybe we should shut down city streets for everybody's funerals? It'd encourage people to bike:)
16
If these fucksticks with the attitude problem are the "future of America," then we're all in trouble. (I do kinda laugh at the thought of them working their asses off to pay for my retirement, though.)
18
Anybody who bitches about what an inconvenience this is for them is a Grade A loser. You've been notified, plan your trips accordingly. Christ on a crutch.
19
As a young kid, I have to say my generation bites the big one when it comes to something as simple as respect. Jesus, you other 20 year olds, get some respect. It's no wonder I prefer to visit nursing homes over clubs.
22
1)uh, why didn't they do this on a Saturday so more people could participate (go to Key Arena or at the least, watch the procession go by) and, it would impact fewer people trying to get to work/school.
2)If this had been a PSE employee in their truck or even a Domino's delivery driver pulling over to check his voice mail would the reaction be the same? (no.) On paper, it's the same situation...someone doing their job being senselessly slaughtered. Granted, a police officer's job is potentially more dangerous; it's a given part of the job, but one human life taken is just as valuable as another despite the uniform they wear.
Isn't it?
2)If this had been a PSE employee in their truck or even a Domino's delivery driver pulling over to check his voice mail would the reaction be the same? (no.) On paper, it's the same situation...someone doing their job being senselessly slaughtered. Granted, a police officer's job is potentially more dangerous; it's a given part of the job, but one human life taken is just as valuable as another despite the uniform they wear.
Isn't it?
23
@22
In response to your questions:
1) see @10
2) Don't you know wearing a uniform makes your life inherently more important than someone who doesn't? Duh!
In response to your questions:
1) see @10
2) Don't you know wearing a uniform makes your life inherently more important than someone who doesn't? Duh!
24
@ 22, I'd make the argument that, in regards to the value of a policeman's life to society (as opposed to the value in any Creator's regard), then yeah, it's more valuable. Adding to Fnarf's comments, I'll point out that whatever flaws the police have (and the SPD has their share for sure), everyone benefits from their presence, and Seattle's security is under attack when the police are.
That doesn't make the man's actual life more meaningful or valuable or what have you than some gangbanger's, not in a metaphysical sense; but in terms of value to society, yeah, it is.
That doesn't make the man's actual life more meaningful or valuable or what have you than some gangbanger's, not in a metaphysical sense; but in terms of value to society, yeah, it is.
25
@21
Okay then. I'm laughing my ass off at his naive hope that I'll find work!
@23
You meant to say wearing a police or military officer's uniform makes your life inherently more important. Military grunts die all the time but they get a holiday for that.
Okay then. I'm laughing my ass off at his naive hope that I'll find work!
@23
You meant to say wearing a police or military officer's uniform makes your life inherently more important. Military grunts die all the time but they get a holiday for that.
26
@24
I don't buy your argument. If you want to talk value to society, we should do the same honors for slain teachers, social workers, activists and non-corrupt political leaders.
Police do create an illusion of security but in terms of practical social function they do more to protect the wealthy.
If you want a secure and safe community you need to get involved in your community and watch eachother's backs. On a larger scale we need to focus on the true sources of poverty and ignorance.
I don't buy your argument. If you want to talk value to society, we should do the same honors for slain teachers, social workers, activists and non-corrupt political leaders.
Police do create an illusion of security but in terms of practical social function they do more to protect the wealthy.
If you want a secure and safe community you need to get involved in your community and watch eachother's backs. On a larger scale we need to focus on the true sources of poverty and ignorance.
27
Note to the bad guys: Cops are way busy Friday morning and will all be concentrated along the route detailed above, plan your crimes--er, commute accordingly.
28
Officer Brenton, his family and the SPD deserve every goddam single car in that procession, every bit of overtime, and every minute that all you lazy-asses are late to work because you can't plan.
Brenton died serving YOU. YOU and you and YOU and yes, YOU!
I've got some flowers to deliver to the roadside memorial where he was shot, I'll be on the roadside to the procession, and I'm even considering skipping work to attend the service.
Fuck all you whiners.
My very awesome uncle is a cop. The day after Halloween, I was hanging out in the living room of a cop watching football. He's a new friend of my bf and he is awesome. Both those guys? Serving all of us. 99.9% of cops? Great people, and yup, society owes them a lot, the least of it a really freakin big funeral if they get murdered BECAUSE they are serving...yup, you guessed it, YOU.
Brenton died serving YOU. YOU and you and YOU and yes, YOU!
I've got some flowers to deliver to the roadside memorial where he was shot, I'll be on the roadside to the procession, and I'm even considering skipping work to attend the service.
Fuck all you whiners.
My very awesome uncle is a cop. The day after Halloween, I was hanging out in the living room of a cop watching football. He's a new friend of my bf and he is awesome. Both those guys? Serving all of us. 99.9% of cops? Great people, and yup, society owes them a lot, the least of it a really freakin big funeral if they get murdered BECAUSE they are serving...yup, you guessed it, YOU.
29
@ 26, why don't you try organizing a neighborhood watch group and then ask the police to stop patrolling your area since you're watching each other's backs?
When you do that, come back and tell us how it went. Otherwise, keep your pipe dreams to yourself.
When you do that, come back and tell us how it went. Otherwise, keep your pipe dreams to yourself.
30
To those of you who are so "inconvenienced" due to traffic delays for 1/2 A DAY to honor a police officer murdered, think of his family.....they will live with this FOREVER! This remembrance is not about a single man, this is symbolic of respect, honor, community. Time for reflection, Folks.
32
@29
I did and we're doing just fine despite being in a poor neighborhood where cops rarely patrol anyway.
Now go on and keep your authoritarian pipe dreams to yourself.
I did and we're doing just fine despite being in a poor neighborhood where cops rarely patrol anyway.
Now go on and keep your authoritarian pipe dreams to yourself.
33
I think onion @28 and nae @30 are right and we should all just shut the hell up in respectful silence. This isn't about just a man. It's about a symbolic martyr for all of humanity and everything good and decent in the world. He died for YOUR sins.
34
@4: Sibley, lots of people have difficult and often-criticized jobs. Most of them don't get a special policy for their funeral procession that results in choking off sections of the city for three hours. If they want to have a 1500 car procession to drum up recruitment, they should allow breaks for traffic to cross. Who came up with this idea -- the people or the employees of the people?
@9: Fnarf, he was killed in cold blood, but he was not representing us. He was a police officer, not an elected representative. That was our employee who got shot out there. We do what we can to mitigate the risk inherent to the job he did, but that risk exists, and he knew it. It's sad, but it's not any more sad than a firefighter, a bus driver, or somebody who cleans our parks dieing because of gunshot or cancer.
I understand that much like with military labor, we're going to bet a better deal on police labor if we elevate the status of the job and convince people that police are working for more than a paycheck, but let's not kid ourselves. If the pay they receive is not fair compensation for the work they perform, let's raise the pay rate, not pretend that police are a bunch of Mother Theresas. It's an honorable job. There are many of those.
@9: Fnarf, he was killed in cold blood, but he was not representing us. He was a police officer, not an elected representative. That was our employee who got shot out there. We do what we can to mitigate the risk inherent to the job he did, but that risk exists, and he knew it. It's sad, but it's not any more sad than a firefighter, a bus driver, or somebody who cleans our parks dieing because of gunshot or cancer.
I understand that much like with military labor, we're going to bet a better deal on police labor if we elevate the status of the job and convince people that police are working for more than a paycheck, but let's not kid ourselves. If the pay they receive is not fair compensation for the work they perform, let's raise the pay rate, not pretend that police are a bunch of Mother Theresas. It's an honorable job. There are many of those.
35
Why do we pay overtime for this? If they want to participate they should do it on their own time.
36
Cops do important work but they are far from the ONLY institution keeping society together.
Now it's understandable that strong emotions regarding the issue would interfere with rational thought processes, but some people would do well to cut down on hours watching police dramas on TV (I'm talking to you, Matt From Denver).
Now it's understandable that strong emotions regarding the issue would interfere with rational thought processes, but some people would do well to cut down on hours watching police dramas on TV (I'm talking to you, Matt From Denver).
37
@ 36, where did I say it was the ONLY thing keeping society together? Try reading for comprehension, you presumptuous twit.
38
How many of these cops will be riding their bikes? Or piling into those big police buses that you see near large events?
39
So many good (and bad) points I don't even know where to begin! I guess I'll just stick to the good points:
@ 6, wish they would, but it's not as visible of an area as Montlake, and besides, they're are too many potholes.
Tiktok, love it. ;)
I am unsure as well about the overtime pay and the fact that they are not the only institution holding society together. In fact, sometimes I think they can be a big part of the problem. [One of those problems is that many peace officers are misogynist a-holes who think females exist only for their viewing pleasure. Ugh.]
@ 6, wish they would, but it's not as visible of an area as Montlake, and besides, they're are too many potholes.
Tiktok, love it. ;)
I am unsure as well about the overtime pay and the fact that they are not the only institution holding society together. In fact, sometimes I think they can be a big part of the problem. [One of those problems is that many peace officers are misogynist a-holes who think females exist only for their viewing pleasure. Ugh.]
40
Its funny how some people can be so tied up in their everyday lives and always think about, "me" when there are people out in this world fighting for you to have that "every day life" For all of you complaining about the roads being close or how much of a inconvience it is for you tomorrow morning maybe you should sit and think about having respect not only for Officer Brenton but his family as well. This is whats wrong with this world these days people are just pure selfish.. So do us all a favor and think about the life that was lost and all the wonderful things he has done for us and honor his life tomorrow without any complaints. I would like to end this by saying Rest in peace Officer Brenton and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family!
41
@40, we can have respect for Officer Brenton and his family and think this needless procession (it's not going from a funeral parlor to a cemetery like a normal funeral procession; they're meeting at Husky Stadium specifically to make this procession to the funeral at Seattle Center) is a huge inconvenience. So do us all a favor and ask yourself why this police parade is being shoved down our throats.
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