# Four Seattle police officers ambushed and shot dead **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 29, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369 "2009-11-29T19:53:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/21 "2009-11-30T00:25:23Z")
> [@](#): > > The system doesn’t always work, but it works better than your portrayal of it, and it is a heck of a lot better than the alternative. > > Stranger Agreed. Since this state has the DP, I’m absolutely sure it will be used for the perps if they survive capture. The whole point of having the DP is to use it against heinous, notorious crimes. A prosecutor who doesn’t pursue it in a case like this puts his/her own career at risk. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/22 "2009-11-30T00:59:15Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Anti-cop sentiment is strong among college-age, liberal leaning people, and is tied particularly tightly with radical politics. These people are quick to defend anyone who takes the life of a law officer. Calm yourself. You’re gonna bust something. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/23 "2009-11-30T01:10:09Z")
I am horrified. I’ve cried on and off all day. Police and firefighters consider themselves brothers-in-arms. We’ve been to too many funerals lately. Hubby’s station is very close to this shooting. He passed that intersection on his way home about 30 minutes before this happened. :(:(:(:(:(☹ ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/24 "2009-11-30T01:13:04Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > You would not believe how many people hate cops just because they’re cops. They don’t even view them as human beings with families and lives, just as some kind of mindless robot who carries out The Law of The System. Anti-cop sentiment is strong among college-age, liberal leaning people, and is tied particularly tightly with radical politics. These people are quick to defend anyone who takes the life of a law officer. Geez, who pissed in your shower? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/25 "2009-11-30T01:21:52Z")
I wonder if there is a reason or if it was a random attack. ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/26 "2009-11-30T01:47:09Z")
If there’s a reason, it hasn’t been revealed yet. The scumbag hasn’t been caught yet, although they I’ve identified someone by name that they want to question. Based on what I’ve read, he was strictly after cops, as the customers and baristas in the store were not shot at. This is the latest update in our local paper: [http://www.thenewstribune.com/](http://www.thenewstribune.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/27 "2009-11-30T01:51:23Z")
The [Seattle Times](http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/home/index.html) seems to be posting updates fairly regularly. (ETA: Posted before I saw **Taters** ’ link. Hers is more local to the area.) ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/28 "2009-11-30T01:57:52Z")
Surprise surprise! He’s a multiple ex-con with FIVE prior felony convictions, and a _sixty year_ prison sentence in Arkansas…which was commuted by Governor Mike Huckabee! This is a fucking outrage. And I hope it sinks Mike Huckabee’s career forever. I hope Mike Huckabee blows his fucking brains out in disgrace. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/29 "2009-11-30T02:06:18Z")
I’ve always disliked Mike Huckabee. > [@](#): > > When Clemmons received the 60-year sentence, he was already serving 48 years on five felony convictions and facing up to 95 more years on charges of robbery, theft of property and possessing a handgun on school property. Records from Clemmons’ sentencing described him as 5-foot-7 and 108 pounds. The crimes were committed when he was 17. > > Clemmons served 11 years before being released. > > News accounts say Huckabee then commuted Clemmons’ sentence, citing Clemmons’ young age at the time the crimes were committed. > [@](#): > > Nine years ago, then-Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee granted clemency to Clemmons, commuting his lengthy prison sentence over the protestations of prosecutors. > > “This is the day I’ve been dreading for a long time,” Larry Jegley, prosecuting attorney for Arkansas’ Pulaski County said Sunday night when informed that Clemmons was being sought in connection to the killings. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/30 "2009-11-30T02:11:48Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > And I hope it sinks Mike Huckabee’s career forever. I hope Mike Huckabee blows his fucking brains out in disgrace. I seriously doubt that will happen. He will come up with an explanation of how he and God made the right choice and everyone else is an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/31 "2009-11-30T02:48:05Z")
OMFG. I’ve maintained for some time that we should have mandatory life without parole for anybody who commits a major felony using a deadly weapon. Period. No exceptions. Including anyone 13 and older. (Anybody who stabs somebody at 13 is more likely to be incorrigible than rehabilitatable.) They let a thug go, and he kills Jennifer Hudson’s family. We let a thug go and he kills four cops. This is crazy. Sure it’s more the exception than the rule, but why should we err on the side of kindness with a population that’s 95 percent pure evil? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/32 "2009-11-30T03:01:23Z")
As long as this thread isn’t moved to Great Debates, could maybe the political rants stay out of it? I’m obviously asking as a poster, not as a junior mod, but I’d much appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/33 "2009-11-30T03:03:14Z")
[A quick article on why it’s rare to see death penalty cases in Washington State.](http://union-bulletin.com/articles/2009/11/11/local_news/091111local01projectreversals.txt) ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/34 "2009-11-30T03:06:26Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > This is a fucking outrage. And I hope it sinks Mike Huckabee’s career forever. I hope Mike Huckabee blows his fucking brains out in disgrace. Are you using hyperbole here, or are you serious? I never know with you. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/35 "2009-11-30T03:12:10Z")
It was hyperbole. I don’t think Mike Huckabee should blow his brains out. I think he should take an overdose of Tylenol. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/36 "2009-11-30T03:22:16Z")
Hopefully the gunman will be killed by the police before being arrested, will save a whole bunch of money. Also I will not vote for Huckabee ever unless I have to vote for him or a Democrat. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/37 "2009-11-30T03:26:54Z")
**Argent Towers** , are you high? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/38 "2009-11-30T03:29:47Z")
Jesus, AT, you are in la la land. If you’re this unhappy with our Constitutional system, you’re welcome to leave the country. Maybe Saudi Arabia would be more your speed. And how do you know these cops didn’t have it coming? ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/39 "2009-11-30T03:30:02Z")
This hits awful close to home, I grew up only a few miles from where this happened. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369/40 "2009-11-30T03:31:48Z")
> [@Curtis LeMay](#): > > Hopefully the gunman will be killed by the police before being arrested,… Do want to find out if he’s guilty first, or is that a waste of money? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-seattle-police-officers-ambushed-and-shot-dead/519369.md?page=3)