3-29-2019
ELLENSBURG, Wash. (AP) — More than a thousand people, including hundreds of law enforcement officers, gathered Thursday at a memorial service for the Kittitas County sheriff’s deputy who was killed last week by a road rage suspect living in the country illegally.
Uniformed officers lined a street and saluted as a white hearse brought the flag-draped casket of Deputy Ryan Thompson to Central Washington University in Ellensburg.
Bagpipers, drummers and an honor guard of uniformed officers met the casket.
The 42-year-old Thompson died in a gun battle March 19 in Kittitas that killed the suspect and wounded Kittitas Police Officer Benito Chavez.
Rest In Peace, #Kittitas Deputy Ryan Thompson.
“Thank you for your friendship. All the memories we shared. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice. We used to sing the old Billy Joel song, Only the Good Die Young. You weren’t just young-you were the best of the bunch.” -Ian pic.twitter.com/FR2owF8ism
— Deedee Sun (@DeedeeKIRO7) March 28, 2019