Recent deaths of local police officers

Beth Nowak, Nov. 13

Nowak, 30, who had started her Seattle Police patrol beat just two weeks earlier, was driving to work when a man speeding in a stolen Honda crashed into her car. Nowak and the driver of the stolen car died instantly.

Edwanton "Eddie" Thomas, Sept. 12

Thomas, 28, a Brier police officer, died after a struggle with the former mayor of Brier, Gary Starks, during an aid call to Starks' home. Thomas had received heart treatment in the past.

Joselito "Lito" Barber,

Aug. 13

Barber, 26, who had joined the Seattle Police Department just seven months earlier, was on routine patrol in the Central District when a speeding GMC Yukon ran a red light and collided with his vehicle. The driver was wanted on arrest warrants for prostitution, DUI, malicious mischief and two thefts.

Jackson V. Lone,

March 16, 2005

Lone, 39, a Seattle Police harbor patrol officer, died while responding to a call on Lake Union. He fell in the water while tying up a tugboat.

James Lewis, April 27, 2004

Lewis, a 45-year-old Tacoma police officer, was killed when his motorcycle collided with a car as he was responding to a traffic stop.

Patrick Maher, Aug. 2, 2003

Maher, 46, a new member of the Federal Way police department, was shot with his own gun after breaking up a fight outside a convenience store.

Richard Herzog,

June 22, 2002

Herzog, 46, a veteran King County Sheriff's deputy, was killed when a highly agitated man took the officer's gun and shot him outside an apartment complex in Newcastle.

Gary Lindell,

March 13, 2002

Lindell, who served with the Seattle Police Department for more than 30 years, sustained a head injury when he fell off a horse in 1999 during a training exercise with the mounted horse patrol. Lindell retired shortly after the accident and later died from lingering complications.

Steven J. Underwood, March 7, 2001

Underwood, a 33-year-old Des Moines police officer, was shot and killed while questioning four juvenile suspects he had stopped while they were walking along Pacific Highway.

Sources: Officer Down Memorial Page, Seattle Times archives