March 19, 2021
Olympia, Washington– In a cruel twist of fate, next week marks not only the first week of spring, but also the most tragic week in the WSP historical calendar. Of the 31 individuals we have lost in the line of duty during our first 100 years of service, three have been lost in the waning days of March, including one of our first losses in 1929 as well as the most recent loss just last year. 2021 marks our Centennial and as we pause to celebrate, we must also pause to commemorate the brave men and women who have offered their last full measure of devotion and duty in service to the people of Washington.
Attached and below you will find three separate releases that outline the losses of three brave men who died in the first days of spring during our agency’s first century of service:
- Highway Patrolman Conard Tolson (sometimes listed as Conrad Tolson) died on March 24, 1929 after his motorcycle was struck by an errant driver. (WSP commissioned officers were not referred to as ‘Troopers’ until the early 60’s.)
- Trooper Steven Frink died while pursuing a speeding under-aged driver into an interstate tunnel on March 22, 1993.
- Trooper Justin Schaffer died just a year ago on March 24, 2020 when he was intentionally struck by a suspect fleeing a robbery that had initiated a multi-county high-speed chase involving a host of law enforcement personnel.
Three men in the prime of their lives, each dutifully serving their state and communities, each exhibiting courage and professionalism, and each losing their life in the line of duty on a Washington roadway… We remember them, their families and their friends – and we appreciate the honor of your attention and the sharing of their stories with your audiences. We can only hope that the next 100 springs offer no such sorrow.
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