P.O. Box 901, Prosser WA 99350 /wspmemorialfoundation@gmail.com / 360.597.4411

Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation

Fiscal Year Update - 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023

 

We, the Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation, are entrusted to preserve the memory of Washington State Patrol fallen officers and to provide assistance to active and retired Washington State Patrol employees and their families in times of need.

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The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation (WSPMF) was created in 1982. We have provided more than $2.5 million in financial assistance to Washington State Patrol employees and their families. 

 

All proceeds from the annual memorial dinner are placed into our Fallen Scholarship Fund to provide assistance for the children and spouses of our fallen officers to attend college. The WSPMF has assisted nine children with their college expenses.  

 

Christian Frink, son of Steven Frink, who died in the line of duty on March 22, 1993, graduated from Western Washington University in 2012. 

 

Megan and Jim Saunders, children of Trooper James Saunders, who died in the line of duty on October 7, 1999, both attended the University of Washington. Megan graduated in 2018. Jim graduated in 2021. 

 

Emily, Erin, Kailey, Erik and Kyle, children of Detective Brent Hanger, who died in the line of duty on August 6, 2015, attended Western Washington University, University of Washington, and Skagit Valley College. Emily, Erin and Kailey have graduated. Erik is currently attending Western Washington University.

 

Gedeon Lagasse Padgett, son of Trooper S. Renee Padgett, who died in the line of duty on September 4, 2018, is attending Washington State University. 

 

The WSPMF has provided a total of $34,050 to Jim Saunders, Kailey and Erik Hanger, and Gedeon Padgett Lagasse to attend college this past year.  

 

The scholarship program for WSP employees, their spouses, and children is in its 32nd year. The WSPMF provided five new scholarships and six renewable scholarships to families of the Washington State Patrol in the last fiscal year. Our scholarship assistance this year totals $11,000 and we were able to help 11 individuals with their educational expenses.

 

This year, in addition to scholarships, the WSPMF has provided $15,800 in assistance to WSP families. While much of the assistance provided by the WSPMF is confidential in nature, the WSPMF is proud to disclose its involvement in the following activities:

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·     The 41st annual WSP Memorial Foundation dinner was held in July 2023 in conjunction with the 20th annual Jim Saunders Legacy Golf Tournament. The events were held at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, WA. We had 364 attendees at the dinner and through donations, our live and silent auction, we were able to raise $65,066.14.

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·       The 1st annual Memorial Miles event was held at the WSP academy in Shelton on August 25, 2023. This event was a 24-hour march to honor our 32 fallen.  During the 24 hours, we raised $1,026 in donations and participants walked 267.18 miles.  

 

The WSPMF currently has 551 contributing members, donating at least $10 per month. We have 560 supporting members, donating $5 per month. To be a voting member of the WSPMF, you must contribute $10 per month or $5 per pay period. This minimal deduction goes a long way toward helping WSP families in times of need. If you would like to be a contributing member of the WSPMF, or would like to increase your monthly donation, please request the form from Megan King at wspmemorialfoundation@gmail.com or (360) 597-4411.

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The 42nd Annual Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the Tulalip Casino in Marysville, WA. Please join us to honor our officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.  

 

Note:  Please visit the WSPMF website at the following link for ticket information and hotel reservations: https://www.wspmf.org/events – all proceeds from the dinner are placed into our Fallen Scholarship Fund.