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March 28, 2024

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Anniversary of woodcarver slaying in Seattle

The Columbian
Published: August 29, 2011, 5:00pm

SEATTLE (AP) — It’s been a year since a Seattle police officer shot and killed a woodcarver who didn’t immediately drop a knife.

The brother of John T. Williams has carved two 30-foot totem poles in his memory. The Williams family will dedicate them Tuesday afternoon at Pier 57 on the Seattle waterfront. Carver Rick Williams hopes they’ll be raised at the Seattle Center.

KIRO-FM reports (http://bit.ly/rj4TjN) the Aug. 30, 2010, shooting shook up the police department. Officer Ian Birk resigned and the city paid $1.5 million to the Williams family. Officers have been given training in sensitivity and dealing with the mentally ill. More officers are equipped with Tasers now.

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Information from: KIRO-FM, http://mynorthwest.com/

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