Gov. Gregoire addresses the memorial service of Chief Will Bachofner

August 17, 2008

*AS WRITTEN*

Good Afternoon,

I first want to extend my deepest condolences to Chief Bachofner�s wonderful family -- and to thank each and every one of you for coming here today to honor and remember a truly great man.

I know you will miss him terribly, but you also will have the memories of his remarkable life to cherish always.

Chief Bachofner was the right man for a very tough job in his 11 years as Chief of the Washington State Patrol, the longest serving patrol chief in state history.

I was a college student for some of those times � the 1960s � and I saw up close the kinds of challenges Chief Bachofner and law enforcement in general faced.

Chief Bachofner was quick to recognize that the times indeed were changing, and law enforcement needed to change too in order to deliver on its core mission � keeping the peace.

It wasn�t easy -- what with sometimes angry protests on the capital grounds, and even rioting in the streets.

He was tough, but he also had tremendous common sense. Chief Bachofner knew when to exert force and when not to.

And he calmed a lot of anger and prevented a lot of injuries and damage by walking straight up to protest leaders to talk to them and calm them down.

Chief Bachofner was a very smart man � and he understood that Democracy can be messy and that it requires imagination and brains to keep the peace and still allow citizens to demonstrate.

Throughout all of that, the Chief worked tirelessly on another front too. He opened the doors to women and minorities.

In fact, our own Chief Batiste and Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick got their start thanks to Chief Bachofner.

At the same time, Chief Bachofner, did so much to improve and professionalize the Washington State Patrol

And it�s thanks to his pioneering efforts that the Patrol just last week was named the best police agency in the United States.

I had many professional connections with Chief Bachofner, but also a very personal one.

His granddaughter. Erin?, (Mackey) babysat my two daughters, and being the granddaughter of the Chief -- she was a responsible, caring, and wonderful babysitter.

My heart goes out to the family members. I share your loss today.

But none of us will ever forget the deep humanity and dedication Chief Bachofner brought to his work, and the tremendous contributions he made on behalf of all Washingtonians.

Thank you