December 10, 2019
King County: The Washington State Patrol (WSP) would like to extend an invitation to all media and the public to attend a wreath laying ceremony in memory of Trooper Paul Johnson who died in the line of duty December 12, 1949.
Date: December 13, 2019
Time: 2pm
Location: Washington State Patrol District 2 Headquarters
2803 156th Ave SE
Bellevue, WA 98007
This incident occurred near Snoqualmie in a neighborhood called Ernie’s Grove at Meadowbrook around 11am. Trooper Johnson and another trooper responded to the home of Walter Peden who had been shooting at neighbors with his .22 caliber rifle. When the troopers arrived, Peden opened a window and fired, striking Trooper Johnson in the head as he took cover behind his patrol vehicle. Trooper Johnson died as a result of his injury. Peden was eventually captured by a neighbor after he fled to their house after the shooting. Trooper Johnson was 32 years old and had 3 years with the WSP at the time of his death.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/175800081/paul-h-johnson
Please join Chief Batiste and others as we remember Trooper Johnson with a wreath ceremony at our memorial park at the address noted above.
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