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Statement from WSP Chief John R. Batiste Regarding Wounded Trooper

February 22, 2024

As you are no doubt aware, one of our troopers was shot during the performance of his duties last Friday night in Kent.

Per medical privacy laws and as is our custom, we do not discuss the personal or medical information of our troopers, even when they have been injured in service to the public, without permission. Sharing personal information is up to the individual and their family. We appreciate and know that both the members of the public and the media will continue to respect our trooper and his family’s wish for privacy at this time.

Thank you for that courtesy. It can help make a difficult road a bit easier.

The suspect in the case has now been charged by the King County Prosecutor and it will be up to the courts to decide the legal outcomes. WSP has every confidence in the Prosecutor’s Office, as well as the Kent Police Department conducting the investigation, to manage their own duties in a fair, thorough, and thoughtful manner. Questions regarding the shooting, the investigation, and the court case should be referred to those agencies.

I want to publicly thank the other troopers, the Kent police officers, and the first responder/medical professionals who so quickly attended to our wounded colleague’s urgent medical needs. Their quick and heroic actions kept this from being a larger tragedy.

Thank you. In a time of extraordinary stress and danger, you each helped save a man’s life.

Finally, I will say to the public what I said to the over 2,000 WSP employees the day after the shooting – We are in a dangerous business – But that danger is the price of public safety for the state we so love and its people that we are sworn to protect. In the Washington State Patrol, we serve with humility but know that we also serve with a firm resolve to do all we can do to keep the public and our roadways safe. The outpouring of support we have received for our wounded trooper, his family, and the ‘family’ of the Patrol is truly and deeply felt and appreciated.

Thank you.

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Release sent by Chris Loftis, Director of Communications

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