Lakewood Officers Remembered

The recent loss of 4 Lakewood police officers has reminded us how suddenly we can lose people who are most important in our lives. Our own recent experiences with loss have triggered a particularly emotional response as we watched the news develop last week informing the world of a terrible ambush that took place in our own back yard against local law enforcement officers as they prepared for duty.

Our loss occurred last year when Airport Towing CEO Mark Storer and son Brian Storer died in an airplane crash, shocking the towing industry. Local friends and family members gathered to show their support. Neighboring police and fire agencies joined in to provide assistance to those who were suffering the most, along with other towing companies. The family at Airport Towing voiced their appreciation of the support received from public safety officers and others offering assistance.

Now it is our turn to pay back the support given to our family last year by assisting other families who have suffered a similar fate. Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold, Greg Richards, and Sgt. Mark Renninger have all left behind children and families, both at home and within the police department. The families have endured terrible suffering as a result of the unexpected void that took them by surprise on a Sunday morning. We have felt a similar pain, and we know there are few, if any, words that will bring comfort to the loved one’s who are grieving.

Airport Towing and local police officers work together on a daily basis. The officers and towers provide a public service, working together at emergency scenes and during non-emergency traffic situations. Our company got it’s first bitter taste of tragedy when King County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Cox was shot and killed in the line of duty in December of 2006. Officer Cox worked with our Burien Towing drivers on a daily basis during his work week. When he was gunned down on a late winter night. Those who knew him and worked with him were heartbroken. It often seems as though the greatest hero’s of our community are those who suffer the most tragic fate. Two years after Deputy Cox died, Airport Towing lost Mark and Brian. Now, the attention has shifted South, to the families of the fallen Lakewood Officers.

A memorial service was held Tuesday at the Tacoma Dome for all four Lakewood police officers. Prior to the service, a procession of nearly 2,000 emergency vehicles led the ceremony from McChord Air Force Base near where the officers were killed in Parkland, past Lakewood Police Department Headquarters, to the memorial site. More than 20,000 people attended the service, including thousands of police officers and firefighters. The emotion filled service lasted more than 3 hours and featured many stories of the lives of the four slain officers. Family members were surrounded by thousands of attendees, including police officers, firefighters, dignitaries, and others. Governor Christine Gregoire was on hand to speak to the crowd, as was House Representative and former King County Sheriff Dave Reichert. More than 700 Canadians mounted police officers attended, as well as hundreds from Chicago, New York, Boston and other places around the world. The scene was awe-inspiring, with an honor guard of multiple agencies leading the way. For the families, the service was just the beginning of a long road ahead.

Several memorial funds have been set up to support the family of the fallen Lakewood officers. You can donate directly through the Lakewood Police Independent Guild here.

Tow Truck For Sale *SOLD*

*THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN SOLD*

Burien Towing is now selling a 2001 Ford F-450 XLT Superduty Tow Truck. This truck has been serving the Seattle area since it was purchased new by Burien Towing and is still fully functional. In our continuing effort to keep a new fleet of tow trucks on the road, this truck is being rotated out to make way for the brand new tow truck that we purchased this year.

With a 7.3L V8 Turbo Diesel, this truck has 141,000 miles, a 6 speed manual transmission, a Microlock Braking System, RPM Commander Controls, a limited slip rear end, 34 gallon fuel tank, power windows, locks, & mirrors, antilock brakes, a 4.88 axle ratio, rear upper & lower work lights, cruise control, AM/FM, cd, quick connect jump start cables, stainless wheel simulators, diamond plate railing, 360 emergency scene lighting, and more.

It’s tow capabilities include a Century 410 wrecker body with wheel lift and boom, dual 8,000 lbs. winches, tow sling, dollies, and a gross vehicle weight rating of 15,000 lbs. The wheel lift is rated at 4,000 pounds.

Our tow trucks are well maintained and all maintenance records are kept on file. This 1 ton tow truck will remain in our working fleet until it is sold. It is fully functional and ready to operate.

List price for the truck is $20,000.  Visit our office if you would like to see the truck in person or call 206-243-6252 and ask for Jared or Daryl for more information. Click here for directions to our office.

To read more about this truck and see more photos, go to our For Sale page. To contact us via the web, go to our Contact Page.