A message from the Chief,

On November 29, 2009, four Lakewood City police officers were murdered in Parkland, Washington.  A month prio to this, a Seattle Officer was murdered.  They were all ambushed by bad men.  We, police officers, know the risks when we put the badge on.  We shall honor and memorialize these fallen warriors.  I've sent my Chaplain and two of our officers to Tacoma to represent us and show our support.  I won't discuss what may have gone wrong in these situations, especially since I wasn't there. 

Here's my issue.  We, the City of Chewelah, have lost one of our officers due to budget shortfalls and the economic woes.  Colville City has lost two police positions and I know that Stevens County Sheriff's Office is struggling to hold on to their officers too.  Officers being murdered and fewer, now, to do the job adds up to a serious problem.  We won't have the ability to respond to complaints in the manner the public demands.  We won't have back-up on the serious calls such as "man with a gun", "domestic fight in progress", "burglary in progress", "vehicle collision with occupants trapped".............. I can think of many more I've responded to myself in the past three decades.

Fewer sheepdogs to keep the wolves away from the sheep.  We crumble at the core when we can't protect ourselves.  Don't just stand by and watch it happen, do something.  The five officers you still employ in the City will continue to do their best and you'll see me back on the streets more often because I'll have to cover some shifts.  Our resolve is great, even though we weep for the five families of our fallen comrades in their darkest hours. 

With a heavy heart,

Chief Troy Anderson