Trooper Justin Schaffer was struck and killed by a fleeing vehicle while attempting to deploy stop sticks during a vehicle pursuit along I-5 in Chehalis.

The suspect driving the vehicle had stolen an item from a convenience store in Lacey the previous day. The man had threatened the clerk with a stun gun and threatened to run him over. Thurston County deputies spotted the truck the following day and attempted to stop it in Maytown. The vehicle fled into Lewis County with deputies pursuing it.

Trooper Schaffer was struck by the subject as he attempted to deploy stop sticks near mile marker 79. The man continued to flee until stopping and barricading himself inside his vehicle several miles later. He was taken into custody by Thurston County deputies.

Trooper Schaffer had served with the Washington State Patrol for six years. He is survived by his wife, parents, and brother.

Deputy Cooper Dyson was tragically killed in a collision on the early morning of Saturday December 21, 2019, as he responded to assist other deputies who were being assaulted by a domestic violence suspect who was trying to access a firearm.

Deputy Cooper Dyson was 25 years old, married, a father of 3 year old son and was expecting a baby girl in two weeks. He was a proud veteran of the United States Coast Guard and has served as a deputy with Pierce County Sheriff's Office since 2018.

Chief Knapp succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday November 6th, 2019. Knapp, 79, was struck by a maroon 1988 Chevrolet GMT-400 while crossing Fourth Street in Lynden shortly before 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5, according to the Washington State Patrol release on the incident, which noted that the truck’s headlights were not on at the time of the collision.

“Michael was a family man that touched many and will be sorely missed,” his family said in a statement to The Bellingham Herald. “He offered so much to his family, friends and community.”
Chief Knapp, a U.S. Army veteran, served with many departments throughout his long career in law enforcement.

He worked for the Milpitas Police Department and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office in California, and later served as the Medina Police Department chief from 1998 until 2003. In 2005, he was appointed as the chief of police in Ferndale, Washington, where he remained until his retirement in 2016.

Chief Knapp also worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and spent eight months serving the Blaine Police Department.

“Chief Michael Knapp embodies the best in public service,” Ferndale City Administrator Jori Burnett said, according to The Bellingham Herald. “For over a decade, he served the city of Ferndale with honor and distinction, bringing his years of experience to elevate the work of the Ferndale Police Department. We are holding him and [wife] Nancy in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Chief Knapp had been serving as the LPD’s interim chief for the past six months. Chief Knapp was an FBI National Academy graduate, a Foreign Service Institute graduate, and a member of the California Bar Association.

Ferndale Mayor Jon Mutchler said he has known Chief Knapp for over 10 years, KOMO reported.  "Chief Knapp was one of the few people I’ve ever known in my life that when you’re around him…you step up your game,” Mutchler explained. “You’re a better person. I’m a better man.”