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Local vigil honors fallen four

Vigil on Evergreen Boulevard shows support, emotion

By John Branton
Published: December 2, 2009, 12:00am

About 40 people stood outside in the cold Tuesday night in a hastily organized candlelight vigil for the four slain Lakewood police officers.

“We came out to show our support for the officers,” said Anne McEnerny-Ogle, a 30-year resident of Vancouver and chairwoman of the Shumway Neighborhood Association.

“We’re conscious this could happen to any officer,” said her husband, Terry.

They said their son, John Ogle, 19, has considered a career in law enforcement, possibly as a forest ranger, and is upset and shocked about the slayings.

The vigil took place at Vancouver Police Department headquarters on East Evergreen Boulevard, near Officers Row.

“Our police officers are the ones who daily put their lives on the line,” said Tani Zarelli, who organized the vigil. “Do they really know that we’re with them?”

The Rev. Bob MacGregor, pastor of City Harvest Church, said the news affected him deeply.

“It’s deeper than just the diabolical, violent act of a madman against innocent people,” MacGregor told the crowd.

The murders also are a spiritual issue for the state of Washington, he added.

“I think violence is an outcry against any society and culture,” the pastor continued. “I think it’s the ultimate statement that we’re still sick people and need a savior to heal us.”

He said communities need to “wake up to the root causes” of such violence.

“A great tragedy has struck our state, and it has struck every one of us,” said Mayor Royce Pollard.

Pollard said he thinks some people have lost respect for police, but that they should reconsider.

“Without police, we have chaos,” Pollard said, adding that a high priority must be placed on keeping the officers well equipped and with enough resources to protect the community.

“Pray for the families, pray for the souls of those fine officers and pray for the future of our community,” Pollard said.

Tani Zarelli’s husband, state Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, and others urged folks to remember the children of the slain officers and help them.

It’s also important to learn why the murders occurred, to find ways of preventing future tragedies, Zarelli said.

“Those officers essentially were assassinated because they wear the law enforcement uniform,” said Assistant Vancouver Police Chief Nannette Kistler, who offered the department’s deepest sympathies to their families.

Before offering her own prayer, Tani Zarelli urged the crowd, “Tell everyone, next time you see a police officer, smile at them, and slow down.”

Contributions to the officers’ families can be made at any branch of Bank of America to the Lakewood Officers Fund, an organizer said.

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