One Seattle PD officer, doing the right thing, performing his duty, came upon a stopped vehicle very early Tuesday morning, in the dead of night. The hood was up, the engine was running. He ran the plate. It came back stolen.
While sitting in his car, a man named Maurice Clemmons came up from behind the officer’s patrol unit. The officer exited and immediately recognized Clemmons by way of the large mole on the left side of his face.
Maurice Clemmons was wanted in connection with the murder of four Lakewood, Washington police officers on Sunday, November 29th, at 8:15 am, in the Forza Coffee Shop. The officers were preparing reports on their laptops. Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold and Greg Richards were the officers killed. Go here for photos of the scene.
They were essentially executed.
The Seattle PD officer saw the face of Clemmons and unholstered his handgun. Clemmons made a move and the officer — rightly so — responded. Clemmons was killed. He was found to be in possession of a handgun taken from one of the officers at the Forza Coffee Shop scene.
Clemmons had been hit by a bullet, in the stomach, by one of the officers at the original scene.
I can think of no finer outcome for this scenario.
One single diligent cop can make a difference. One single diligent cop did his job.
I know, because I’ve been that one single diligent cop on some very imporant occasions.
One suspect is dead and taxpayers are spared the expense of a trial and incarceration costs for an animal that would have become the Latest Leftist Project for liberal defense attornies trying to make names for themselves in order to charge higher hourly fees.
Seattle PD Officer Benjamin L. Kelly, 39, the seven-year law enforcement veteran who shot and killed Clemmons, should be honored.
BZ
The only way this story could have had a better ending would be if the “Suspect” had been torn apart by wild dogs.
Strong work officer Kelley. The world is a safer place because of you. May your conscience be clear and may the turmoil that is sure to follow be short.
BZ –
Long time reader, first time poster. I am proud to say that I worked with Officer Kelly at Seattle PD before moving to my current department. He performed admirably this morning and I wanted to thank you for bringing that to the attention of your readers.
BZ said: “Seattle PD Officer Benjamin L. Kelly, 39, the seven-year law enforcement veteran who shot and killed Clemmons, should be honored.”
Couldn’t. Agree. More.
One suspect is dead and taxpayers are spared the expense of a trial and incarceration costs for an animal that would have become the Latest Leftist Project for liberal defense attornies…
Exactly!
Good riddance to bad and dangerous trash.
I’m still steaming that we the taxpayers are paying for Charles Manson’s upkeep. All these decades for that slime.
CB: not bad, but I thought you were saving that for Vick.
Capt Schmoe: those things will happen. But I too wish his unease to be settled in a timely fashion. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment!
Brett: thank you most kindly for visiting and commenting. Thanks also for reading! And yes, it’s just plain old “cop work” that gets the job done. Four dead cops were enough; I’m sure he realizes that, had Clemmons the opportunity, HE would have been #5.
Animal: thanks for reading and commenting; please come back. The officer did his job, protected himself and his jurisdiction.
AOW: good point. Tough budgetary times. I’m sorry, but no “show trial” for Mr Clemmons.
BZ
Sometimes things work out for the best … this was one of them.
To take a shot at liberals in this case is pretty unbelievable BZ…
Benjamin Kelly=Hero.
BZ –
Amen.
Taking a human life runs against what police officers most often believe to their very core – life is sacred and to be protected.
That said, I hope Officer Kelley takes comfort in the fact that his actions were right. They were just. And four fellow officers will rest easier knowing justice has been served.
cjh
Great post and description.
I taught ‘awareness and felony car stops” at the Federal LEO Academy in Modesto in 1974.
Sure wish those 4 policemen were in my class, as they would be alive today. But, alas, I digress,,,,,
Holding an “office” in a public coffee shop makes me shudder.
Paul: I completely concur. Thanks for taking the time to visit and to comment; please come back!
GEG: I merely write the truth.
CJ: no officer wants to be into that position. But the officer, knowing the suspect, knowing the circumstances, had every right to ensure that he was not the fifth victim officer. Any suspect who would so cavalierly take the life of an officer would consider an average citizens’ life of even less worth.
Mr Chuck: you make an absolutely stellar point which, with the passage of some time, should be discussed in every station, every house, every briefing across the nation. You and I both know that’s termed “officer survival” and situational awareness. Thanks for visiting, commenting, and broaching the topic.
BZ
Officer Kelly’s name was not given when I first read the report. I will update it, because as your readers are saying, he should be honored.
What would we do with men and women like you BZ, and officer Kelly, and those who died in Seattle who have their own stories but can no longer tell them?
Absolutely. No need to add anything else, BZ, you said it best. God Bless him & you, sir.
Disturbingly shameless BZ. Had an earlier Arkansas governor let a murdering miscreant like Clemmons go calls for his imprisonment would resound from you. Yet because the Governor in question is a jesus-strokin’ evil Republican it’s an pass the blame onto some mythical liberal strawman who soothes your ego.
Gene, don’t know from which galaxy you’re emanating, but I haven’t the foggiest as to which “mythical liberal strawman” you’re referring. And I’m writing about the actions of the officer only in this post. Huckabee’s another matter entirely.
BZ
I am ever in awe and debt to the thin blue line. The job is dangerous and thankless, yet must be done. We honor the fallen in service to our safety.
To their killers who show no reason or understanding of civil law and kill wantonly, I have no pity nor remorse for their fate.
Compassion from officers when my father collapsed and I was barely awake will stay with me throughout my life. The medics had their job to do and the police had theirs, and those are both damned hard jobs to do. Courtesy and compassion given is returned to other officers throughout my life, be it for a chat at the check-out line or getting a speeding ticket always courtesy and civility and understanding for those in the thin blue line.
“I can think of no finer outcome for this scenario.”
INDEED! Many thanks to the officer involved.