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Officer Killed in Drive-By Shooting
The Seattle Times via YellowBrix
November 02, 2009
In less than 10 years on the Seattle Police Department, Officer Timothy Brenton impressed his superiors so much they asked him to train other officers in the field.
He was doing that Saturday night, teaching rookie officer Britt Sweeney, when he was killed, apparently randomly in a drive-by shooting while sitting in a patrol car on a tree-lined street. Sweeney, only on duty for about a month, suffered minor injuries.
“Everybody loved him,” said his uncle, Jon Brenton, 50, of Kingston, who recalled his nephew’s quick smile and great sense of humor.
Timothy Brenton, 39, came from a family of police officers, the uncle said. The slain officer’s father and another uncle are retired Seattle police officers, Jon Brenton said.
Brenton lived in a house in a leafy, middle-class neighborhood in Marysville, on a cul-de-sac with his wife and two young children.
“Just a regular American family; going to work, making a living,” said neighbor Mark Flanders, 49, as he stood in his yard.
Brenton’s two children, an 8-year-old boy and a girl, 11, are in elementary school, Flanders said.
Flanders described Brenton as a “quiet family man” and said the officer’s wife, Lisa, worked as a nurse.
Jon Brenton said he learned of the shooting in a 2:30 a.m. phone call Sunday from the officer’s father, Boyd Brenton, of La Conner.
“He was pretty broken,” Brenton said. “It was kind of unbelievable to him. It was just kind of a dream.”
Jon Brenton said his nephew was born in Poulsbo before the family moved to West Seattle.
“It’s a huge loss to everybody,” he said.
MIKIESPLACE
7 days ago
84 Comments
REST IN PEACE BROTHER-YOU HAVE BEEN QUICKLY REVENGED.
Bravo68cty
16 days ago
26 Comments
Terrible, Rest In Peace, you've done a fine job!
Inxorte
18 days ago
346 Comments
RIP B
XHOMILT
18 days ago
68 Comments
Great news. Just as the memorial service was ending, Seattle PD were serving a search warrant in Tukwila in connection with the homicide. Some scumbag started shooting at the cops and they returned fire striking the suspect 4 times. No cops hurt and it sounds like this is the suspect they've been looking for. Yeah baby!!!
Can't let those cop killers get away!!!
LivTooley
19 days ago
346 Comments
Words escape me... there is just sadness. Rest in Peace Officer Brenton and prayers for full recovery for Officer Sweeney.
Chris_
20 days ago
1658 Comments
GOD BLESS Officer Brenton's wife and children. Very sad...........RIP, you are a hero.
The Final Inspection
The warrior stood and faced God, Which will always come to pass, He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass.“Step forward now, old warrior, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?” The warrior squared his shoulders and Said, “No, Lord, I guess I ain’t, ‘Cause those of us who carry guns Can’t always be saint.“I’ve had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was tough, And sometimes I’ve been violent, ‘Cause the world is awfully rough.“But, I never took a penny That wasn’t mine to keep. Though I worked a lot of overtime When the bills got just too steep,“And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear, And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept unmanly tears.“I know I don’t deserve a place Among the people here, They never wanted me around Except to calm their fears.“If you’ve a place for me here, Lord, It needn’t be so grand. In life I didn’t expect nor need too much, So if you don’t, I’ll understand.”There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints had often trod, As the warrior stood quietly. For the judgment of his God..“Step forward now, my warrior, You’ve born your burdens well, Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets, You’ve done your time in Hell.
Author Unknown
LAR1958CORRECTIONS
20 days ago
16 Comments
I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT BY NOW IN 2009 THAT ALL THE EDUCATION PUT OUT THERE FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE,DRIVE BY'S WOULD @ BEST SUBSIDE.MY PRAYERS TO THE FRIENDS AND
FAMILY.
bluemax382001
20 days ago
2 Comments
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. Nothing can prepare any family for such a blow.
Leaves 2 kids behind....Some of the comments from some in that community were just outrageous....Just know there are more people out here who support than criticize. Good job by the rookie keeping her head...
SOARTMAR
20 days ago
296 Comments
The temptation to ask why is great, but there are no answers to that particular question. The needs of the family, the wife and children, need to be met immediately. The needs of the extended family, known as “The Thin Blue Line” should come next. This family demands justice and needs to fight towards that goal. Nemo me impune lacessit, No one attacks me with impunity, is the Motto of the Order of the Thistle and not a bad one for Law Enforcement Officers. We need to follow this case through from manhunt to arrest to prosecution to execution. The more liberal among us will say “How can you demand an execution without knowing the facts?” To that I reply that I KNOW the facts. A young officer was shot and killed by cowards who knowingly and intentionally shot at him, not caring about his family or anyone else. Find them, and in all honesty, I hope they refuse to surrender. But these are cowards, and cowards always surrender. The problem here is actually being able to prosecute through to conviction without everyone trying to turn States Evidence, as cowards like this always do.
BearKlaw
20 days ago
152 Comments
RIP Officer Brenton. Your killer was a coward and I am sure he will be hunted down and brought to justice! The Troopers from the Illinois State Police will pray for your family, friends, and the Seattle Police Department!
CNUPD102
20 days ago
26 Comments
RIP Brother Brenton. Thank you for your dedicated service
bsibley
20 days ago
310 Comments
RIP Off. Brenton. May God Bless your young family as they struggle to understand why you were taken so soon by a coward. Thank you for your service and may you find your way to the special place in heaven for those who have given their all so that others may feel safe. My prayers also go out to Off. Sweeney for a full and rapid recovery both in mind and in body.
IAMDALAW
21 days ago
1182 Comments
Rest in peace fellow brother and I hope the ones who did this drown on their own blood!
kudnkud
21 days ago
18 Comments
Rest in peace and may God watch over your Family and take care of them, your job on earth is done and it was done well.
Michael K.K.
PDexplorer
21 days ago
6 Comments
This is such a gut wrenching thing to hear and see. my heart goes out to family and friends. especialy his son and daughter. to think what they must be going through right now over a cowardly act of pure hate and violence is just heart breaking. I wish nothing but the best for his family. And more than the worst for those murderious monsters who did this.
I will be attending the service along with fellow explorers and police officers from my department. It will be held at Key arena which is a very large place. they are expecting upwards of 5,000 people to attend.