Reichert's book on Green River killer is ready

By Michael Ko
Seattle Times staff reporter

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After the publisher pays off expenses, which include a ghostwriter, all proceeds will be donated to the Pediatric Interim Care Center in Kent, a nonprofit medical facility for drug-addicted and abused babies.

Reichert's daughter, Tabitha, and her husband have two foster children through the care center.

Proceeds are expected to reach six figures, said Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. John Urquhart. Reichert did not receive an advance for the book, Urquhart said.

Reichert, who is running as a Republican for the 8th Congressional District seat vacated by Jennifer Dunn, promised he would accept no profits from the Green River case while he was sheriff.

Reichert's campaign manager, Bruce Boram, acknowledged yesterday that the book — as well as expected book signings and national television appearances — probably will help the campaign. Reichert is scheduled to fly to New York City in early August to be interviewed by CNN and Court TV.

Boram said the timing of the release is coincidental and the decision of the publisher, Little, Brown.

Jim Keough, a local Republican political consultant, said, "One appearance on national TV will provide far more exposure than 20 'coffees' in your district will. He's in a very close race, and his campaign has not been raising a heck of a lot of money, but he doesn't need to.

"He already has high exposure. This will provide additional high exposure, just as the absentee ballots are being mailed out."

Reichert has three opponents in the Republican primary: Bellevue City Councilman Conrad Lee, state Sen. Luke Esser of Bellevue and former federal prosecutor Diane Tebelius.

Some Reichert opponents have criticized him for relying on his name power rather than focusing on issues.
 
Reichert was the lead investigator on the Green River killer case when the first bodies were discovered in 1982. As sheriff, he presided over the arrest of Gary L. Ridgway in November 2001. Ridgway is serving a life sentence after pleading guilty last year to killing at least 48 women.

Reichert tells his story in a straightforward, chronological fashion.

Some themes of the book include Reichert's dislike of the FBI and the media; his tense working relationship with Robert Keppel, the former chief investigator for the Washington Attorney General's Office; and how the case shaped many of his professional techniques and leadership qualities.

He also writes of his outrage and frustration at not being able to catch the killer, and how it affected him professionally and personally.

"I asked Julie to stop saying, 'I love you' as much as she did," Reichert writes, referring to his wife. "I couldn't bear to hear it, not when I knew there was so much evil in the world and there were so many victims who would never hear those words again.

"Julie quietly agreed to my request. She restrained her normal loving impulses. Many years would pass, and I would almost forget that I had asked her to do such a powerful thing."

Urquhart said the case has been so thoroughly reported over the years, "I don't know if there's going to be any huge revelation [in the book]. But this is Dave Reichert talking. He was the lead investigator. He's the only one that can give this perspective."

The book was conceived in 2003 or early 2004, before Reichert decided to run for Congress, Urquhart said. Reichert has been besieged with offers for books, TV programs and movies, the first of which arrived via fax about an hour after Ridgway was arrested as a suspect, he added.

ABC has expressed interest in doing a miniseries, but Urquhart said that was "iffy."

Michael Ko: 206-515-5653 or mko@seattletimes.com