Tagged: Washington State Patrol

Retirements have been depleting the ranks of the Washington State Patrol. Now, the patrol finds itself scrambling to hire an extra 60 troopers this year. 

It’s not as easy as you might think to hire a trooper, especially since applicants are failing the physical exam.

RENTON, Wash. — The Washington State Patrol says a trooper fired a shot at a fleeing car after it ran over his foot during a traffic stop on Interstate 405 Monday morning at Renton.

Trooper Julie Startup says the shot missed. The car crashed nearby and the driver was arrested.

“A trooper’s trooper.” That was a phrase used repeatedly to describe Washington State Patrol Trooper Tony Radulescu at a memorial this afternoon in Kent.

He was born in Bucharest and immigrated to the United States at age 14. He served in the US Army, spoke five languages and was well known for having a great sense of humor and a radiant smile.

His son Eric spoke at the memorial. He said his Dad was always looking out for others, adding that the tragedy of his killing seems to be pushing legislation forward that will continue to do so.

KENT, Wash. — Gov. Chris Gregoire says Washington State Patrol Trooper Tony Radulescu died protecting others.

Speaking at a memorial service Thursday in Kent, Gregoire said she considered Radulescu "one of my own," noting that he had served on one of her security details.

KENT, Wash. — Officials expect thousands of people to attend the memorial service for slain Washington State Patrol Trooper Tony Radulescu on Thursday in Kent, a 1 p.m. at the ShoWare Center.

The Washington State Patrol says the trooper who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Port Orchard this morning was 44-year-old Tony Radulescu. 

Trooper Radulescu served with the State Patrol for 16 years and spent his career in the Bremerton area.

WSP Chief John R. Batiste says Radulescu was a humble public servant, "the kind of person everyone wanted to be around, including me."

Batiste says Radulescu was well known in the community for his many visits and presentations at public schools.

Reflections from someone who plays one of the more visible security roles in the post-9/11 Northwest:

"My name is Sgt. Kerry Kintzley. I'm a Sergeant with the Washington State Patrol. I work at the Washington State ferry system screening vehicles prior to their boarding. Sissy ... is a four-year-old Lab Vizsla mix trained to detect explosives.

The Washington State Patrol sent out a reminder today that starting at midnight vehicles driving by someone arrested for DUI will be towed and held for 12 hours.

Officers will not have discretion to let a sober friend take over the wheel, or a family member pick up the vehicle at roadside, the patrol wrote in a press release.