It is with a heavy heart that I stand here today. Surely there is no more sorrowful experience than to stand with the family and friends of a law enforcement officer who gave his life in service to others.
Today is a sad day for the people of the State of Washington.
We all know, in our heads, that officers risk death daily to protect us, but when one dies in the line of duty, our hearts are still shocked, stunned and overwhelmed with grief. The night of his death, Trooper Saunders followed procedure - he did everything by the book. And yet he lost his life. It was beyond his control, and tragic, and senseless. He died with honor.