Trooper Justin R. Schaffer, 28, a seven year veteran of the Washington State Patrol was killed in the line of duty when he was struck by a vehicle that was fleeing law enforcement on 3/24/20 just before 4:00 pm. Schaffer was attempting to deploy spike strip to end the pursuit to a stop when the fleeing vehicle struck him on Interstate 5. Schaffer was transported by aid to Centralia Providence Hospital where paramedics hoped to have him airlifted to Seattle but Schaffer died from his injuries before the airlift and was pronounced dead at 6:30 p.m. The incident started whenthe suspect allegedly stole a bottle of lighter fluid from Pacific Mini Mart in Lacey on 3/23/20 at 9100 Pacific Ave, at about 2:45 p.m. The convenience store clerk, Ok Sun Kang, followed the man into the parking lot intending to take a photograph of his license plate when the man pulled out a stun gun and pointed it at the clerk and a customer, Theresa Wood. They were able to back away from him. He got into his truck, and as he was leaving, he accelerated toward the store clerk, but she got out of the way. The suspect was identified based on surveillance video and the personalized license plate “HI TECH” on his truck as 39-year-old William D. Thompson. Officials alerted other local law – enforcement agencies on 3/23/20. On 3/24/20 a Thurston County sheriff’s deputy was at Farm Boy Restaurant on a unrelated matter and spotted Thompson truck and a chase began. near exit 95 on 1-5 in the south bound lane as the deputy chased Thompson with lights and siren. Thompson continued speeding In excess of 100 mph on I-5 passing vehicles on the shoulder of the highway. Trooper Shaffer was struck when he exited his car to deploy a spike strip near the southbound on ramp near exit 79 and was thrown 100 feet landing in the right hand lane of i-5. Thompson continued 3 more miles then crashing into a light pole and barrier at milepost 76 off ramp at about 3:00 p.m. Trooper Farkas also responded and Thompson served towards Farkas striking trooper Farkas car and as a result the protective bumper “pit bar” was ripped off Trooper Farkas car striking him in the chest. After a standoff with SWAT officers, tear gas was fired into the pickup truck where Thompson at first refused to surrender. Thompson finally surrendered and was booked into Lewis County Jail on 3/24/20. Officer Schaffer earned a criminal justice degree from Centralia College. He began working for the Washington State Patrol on Nov. 12, 2013, assigned to the Property Management Division. On Jan.13, 2014, Schaffer started his training with the 2nd Arming Class On Feb 4, 2014, he continued his training with the 103rd Trooper Basic Training Class and was commissioned Sept. 16, 2014, assigned to Morton. On Sept. 1, 2016, he was assigned as a certified drug recognition expert. On 11/10/18 he completed K9 training and was certified with his partner “Frankie”. .He transferred to Chehalis on Dec. 13, 2018. On 4/21/20 K9 Frankie was retired from service to live with Trooper Schaffer’s family. Trooper Schaffer is survived by his wife Sandra and his K9 partner, Frankie.
Thompson’s preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court was on 3/25/30.William D. Thompson, 39,will be charged with first-degree aggravated murder, First- degree attempted murder, first- degree robbery, first- degree assault, second- degree assault, attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, malicious harassment, two counts of second – degree driving with a suspended license and failing to have an ignition interlock in the vehicle Judge J. Andrew Toynbee set bail at $5 million. Thompson has a pending third-degree assault charge out of Thurston County. Thompson’s history has a number of cases, most of them gross misdemeanors that were dismissed due to his mental health issues. He has two active warrants, one from Tumwater and one from the city of Olympia that was for unlawful display of a weapon. William Thompson, was evaluated on April 1 by Dr. Michelle Hart with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and on April 10 she determined Thompson suffers from mental health issues that would not allow him to be tried at this time. The court order entered on 10/15/20 by Superior Court Judge Andrew Toynbee, finding Thompson to be competent to stand trial. On 10/15 20 , Thompson pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree aggravated murder, first-degree attempted murder and four counts of first-degree assault among seven other offenses. Judge J. Andrew Toynbee, delivered Thompson’s sentence of 45 years on July 5, 2022.
Warrent Officer Louis Potgieter
March 15, 2020 – Villieria, South Africa – Age ?
Warrant Officer Potgieter died in a motorcycle accident on 3/15/20. He joined the Villieria police in 1994. From 2002, he was appointed as a dog handler, specializing as a narcotic dog handler. He was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer in 2000 and received the following medals during his time of service: 10-year commemoration medal, 10-year loyal service medal, 20-year loyal service medal, centenary medal and the Soccer World Cup support medal.
