November 16, 2020
Thomas L. Hendrickson
Commissioned – November 9, 1970
End of Watch – November 17, 1974
Washington State Patrol Trooper Thomas L. Hendrickson died on November 17, 1974, after being struck by a vehicle driven by a 19 year old drunk driver that had crossed the median and was traveling the wrong way. Trooper Hendrickson was 31 years old.
Trooper Hendrickson was the twentieth member of the WSP organization to lose his life in the line of duty in the agency’s first century of service. He left behind a loving wife and two young sons, both of whom have gone on to great success and achievement. He also left behind a grieving state and agency who continue to honor his service and sacrifice in the cause of public safety and justice.
BIO
Thomas Leonard Hendrickson was born on July 24, 1943, in Warren, Penn and attended school in York, Penn., graduating from Eastern High School in 1961. He received a degree in sociology from Elizabethtown College in 1965 before moving to Washington State to join the Boeing Company in April of 1966. Working in personnel at the Renton plant, he was also in the Army Reserves in Bellingham. He married the love of his life, Barbara, in August of the same year.
Hendrickson reported for Basic Training in August 1966 and then returned to Boeing. He was hired by WSP as a cadet on Jan. 12, 1970, and assigned to Everett. He joined the 46th Trooper Cadet Class and was commissioned on Nov. 9, 1970, under the leadership of Chief Will Bachofner. Newly commissioned Hendrickson found himself working again in Everett. He was awarded a safe-driving award the following year.
The couple moved to Mount Vernon in November 1971 and had two sons: Steve in 1972 and Mark in 1974. Trooper Hendrickson’s time with his growing family was tragically short.
END OF WATCH
On Nov. 17, 1974. Hendrickson was conducting a traffic stop on State Route 20 west of Mount Vernon. Standing at the driver’s side door, he was struck by a pickup truck that had crossed the median and traveling the wrong way.
A citizen on scene ran to Hendrickson’s patrol car and used his radio to call for help as the driver fled, stating, “Please, get help. For God’s sake, get me some help! A man is hurt.” Assisting agencies were able to find the fleeing driver, a 19 year old male later found to be under the influence of alcohol, within 15 minutes.
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Hendrickson was survived by his wife, Barbara, and their two sons who were only two years old and five months old at the time of his death.
Barbara never remarried. Their eldest son, Steve, graduated from Washington State University with a degree in criminal justice and became a supervisor for Echo Glen Correctional Facility in Snoqualmie. Their youngest son, Mark, grew up to become a legendary athlete, being one of only a handful to successfully play in both the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball, playing for the Sacramento Kings, New Jersey Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Blue Jays. He was also inducted into the WSU Hall of Fame.
Trooper Hendrickson was posthumously awarded the Washington Law Enforcement Medal of Honor on May 11, 1998. In June of 2020, the section of Highway 20 from milepost 52 just east of the Duane Berentson Bridge to milepost 59 just west of Burlington was renamed the “WSP Trooper Thomas Hendrickson Memorial Highway.”
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The Washington State Patrol holds Trooper Thomas Hendrickson, and the other 29 individuals who have given their last full measure of devotion to our state and society, in our hearts and memories. A husband lost to tragedy, a father never to see the hard work and achievement of his two sons, a friend taken too soon, and a public servant never to hear the praise and appreciation appropriate to his service and sacrifice, Thomas Hendrickson will always be remembered… always.
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Washington State Patrol Trooper Thomas L. Hendrickson
End of Watch – November 17, 1974
Gone But Never Forgotten