Roadside memorial sign erected for fallen officers - KPTV - FOX 12
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A new sign was put up along I-5 today to honor law enforcement officers that were killed in the Woodburn bank bombing.
It was an emotional day at the Woodburn Police Department, but as one officer told us, it is another way to bring closure to the families of these fallen officers.
"To look at these memorials today, it just really brings it home as to what we do," Woodburn Police Det. Rick Puente said.
Four years later, the Woodburn bank bombing is something these officers think about almost every day.
"There's always a void, but we always carry the memory with us," Puente said.
Woodburn Police Capt. Tom Tennant and Oregon State Trooper Bill Hakim were killed in the bomb blast at West Coast Bank in Woodburn in 2008.
Chief Scott Russell was critically injured and lost his leg in the blast. He says all of his officers remember what Captain Tennant taught them.
"He's there with us when we go on a difficult or a hot call, to maintain our composure or do the right thing," Russell said.
Last year, an Oregon house bill was passed allowing for special memorial signs to be put up to honor fallen law enforcement officers.
"We just kind of felt that it was time to do something different here in Oregon, follow a lot of what other states have done," State Rep. Andy Olson said. "California is really a good one for identifying and recognizing fallen officers, and we wanted to do the same thing."
Bruce and Joshua Turnidge, father and son, were convicted of the fatal bombing and sentenced to death in 2010. They are awaiting execution on death row.
Today, these families and friends of the fallen are thankful for a community that has helped bring them closure.
"As people pass Woodburn, they will remember these officers and their sacrifice and say 'thank you' to the family who held the brunt of the burden and has to go on without them," Russell said.
Two more signs will be going up in the next month to remember other fallen officers.
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