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

Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation

Fiscal Year Update - 10/01/2025 through 9/30/2026

 

The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation (WSPMF) is entrusted with preserving the memory and honoring the legacy of Washington State Patrol fallen officers, while providing assistance to active and retired Washington State Patrol employees and their families during times of need.

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Established in 1982, the WSPMF has provided more than $2.7 million in financial assistance to Washington State Patrol employees and their families, helping those facing hardship, tragedy, or unexpected circumstances.

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Proceeds from our annual Memorial Dinner & Auction directly support our Fallen Scholarship Fund, which provides educational assistance to the children and spouses of our fallen officers. Through this fund, eligible recipients may receive assistance for up to four years of college education.

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To date, the WSPMF has helped 14 children of our fallen officers pursue their college education, with three additional children eligible to receive support in the years ahead. Through the generosity of our supporters, we are able to carry forward the legacy of our fallen officers by investing in the futures of the families they left behind. 

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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. Megan has continued her education and is currently attending Gonzaga Law School.

 

Kian, son of Trooper Sean O’Connell Jr., who died in the line of duty on May 31, 2013, is currently attending Everett Community College. Miley, daughter of Trooper O’Connell Jr., is currently attending Western Washington University. 

 

Emily, Erin, Kailey, 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. Erin is currently attending veterinary school in Scottland. Erik is currently attending Western Washington University. Kevin is currently attending Whatcom Community College.

 

Gedeon, son of Trooper S. Renee Padgett, who died in the line of duty on September 4, 2018, graduated from Washington State University in 2024. Olivia, daughter of Trooper Padgett, is currently attending Washington State University. 

 

Blake Gunderson, son of Detective Eric Gunderson, who died in the line of duty of September 262, 2021, is currently attending Edmonds Community College.

 

The WSPMF has provided a total of $34,079 to Kian O’Connell, Miley O’Connell, Erik Hanger, Gedeon Padgett Lagasse, Olivia Pagett Lagasse and Blake Gunderson to attend college this past year.  

 

The scholarship program for WSP employees, their spouses, and children is in its 35th year. The WSPMF awarded seven new scholarships and six renewable scholarships to families of the Washington State Patrol in the last fiscal year. Our scholarship assistance this year totals $14,000 and we were able to help 14 individuals with their educational expenses.

 

This year was our third year offering the Farrington Scholarship Fund Scholarship. The WSPMF was gifted a lot of property in Shelton back in the 1980s. The WSPMF executive board voted to sell the property in 2023 and use the funds from the sale to create a scholarship in the name of the property donors, for a trade school applicant. This is a one time, $3,000 scholarship, offered each year. 

 

A new scholarship was added this year, the Barbara A. Brink Scholarship Fund. This scholarship was started by Michael Brink, in honor of his late wife, Barbara. Their son, James, is currently a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Office with the WSP. This fund awards two $1,000 scholarships each year. 

 

In May, we escorted the Guting family to Washington D.C. for Police Week to honor Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting. We were able to fund the trip for her family and detachment. We had 34 attendees travel, including the WSP Honor Guard, executive and command staff members.

 

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:

·       Our first One More Slice event was held on November 15, 2025, at Tapster in Bellevue. We had 55 attendees and were able to raise $1,326 for the WSP Memorial Foundation.

·       The 44th annual WSP Memorial Foundation dinner was held on April 11, 2026, at the ilani Resort & Casino in Vancouver, WA. We had 680 attendees at the dinner and through donations, our live and silent auction, we were able to raise $49,301 for our fallen scholarship fund.

·       Our 3rd annual Ride to Remember event was held on June 13, 2026. We had 40 participants who made five stops over the 6-hour ride. We ended the evening at WIT Cellars in Prosser with a taco dinner and raffles. During this event, we were able to raise $1,145.

·       The 23rd annual Jim Saunders Legacy Golf Tournament on August 14, 2026, at the Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick, WA. We had 34 full teams golf and ended the day with a pasta bar dinner. During this event, we were able to raise $14,734 for our Fallen Scholarship Fund.

·       The 4th annual Memorial Miles event was held at the WSP academy in Shelton on September 19-20, 2026. This event was a 24-hour march to honor our 34 fallen. During the 24 hours, we raised $1,835 in donations and participants walked over 725 miles.  

 

The WSPMF currently has 688 contributing members, donating at least $10 per month. We have 489 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 45th Annual Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2027, at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, WA. Please join us to honor our officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Dinner tickets will go on sale January 1, 2026, at https://www.auctria.events/2027wspmfdinner.