Police Killed in Woodburn Bank Bomb Blast

It has been revealed that last night's explosion at 5.38pm, at a branch of West Coast Bank in Woodburn near to Portland Oregon, has indeed sadly killed two Law Enforcement officers. There names have been confirmed as Senior Trooper William Hakim, who was a bomb technician with Oregon State Police, and Captain Tom Tennant, an officer at the Woodburn Police Department. Collegues of the two officers have said that they were both dedicated professionals and family men. www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/police_identify_colleagues_kil.html

Earlier in the day police and F.B.I. officials had been only blocks away also on Newberg Highway, where a suspect package had been reported at Wells Fargo Bank, which was found to be harmless. www.woodburnindependent.com/WINNews10.shtml although the circumstances appear to be suspicious and are being treated as such after the explosion at West Coast Bank.

The officers where trying to defuse the device at the West Coast Bank, with other collegues at the time, when the device exploded also injuring Woodburn Police Chief Scott Russell, who is lay in Oregon Health Sciences University, (OHCU) in a critical condition. In addition to the officers who were killed and injured, a West Coast Bank employee has also been injured. The injuries to the employee have been described as not life threatening.

Police Chief Scott Russell has since undergone emergency surgery at OHCU last night for jis injuries, and has been described as in a stable but critical condition. www.woodburnindependent.com/WINNews3.shtml

According to Oregon State Police spokesman Lt. Greg Hastings, Senior Trooper William Hakim was the second bomb technician to have died in active service within the history of Oregon State Police. He was the proud father of two children, a 16 year old daughter and an 18 year old son. He was also leaves behind his wife Terri (Margaret). In Keizer where Senior Trooper Hakim (51) lived, friends and neighbors were described as absolutely stunned. They told of a man who was the glue that kept the community together. Neighbor and friend Michael Jones said. "This has hit everybody in the gut in this neighborhood." www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/police_identify_colleagues_kil.html

The other officer of Woodburn Police Department, Capt. Tom Tennant, leaves behind three children who are two grown daughters and a 17 year old son. He also leaves behind his wife of many years. Capt. Tennant was promoted four years ago was described as a friend and collegue by Woodburn police Sgt. Jason Tlusty, Jason was seen to be visibly upset and shaken as he commended his brave collegues. videos.oregonlive.com/oregonian/2008/12/woodburn_bombing.html

Apparently the West Coast Bank had been evacuated before the explosive device detonated,according to a statement by West Coast Bank chief executive, Robert Sznewajs. At the time he had also stated that two of his collegues had been injured, later it became apparent that only one had suffered minor injuries in the blast.

Highway 99E had been shut down for a couple of hours before being reopened. But, Highway 214 from I-5 to Settlemier Avenue was closed for a longer period of several hours. Where drivers where either diverted or parked up to wait it out. Crowds did try to gather but where quickly ushered away by police and other officials, for there own safety, as police and F.B.I. investigated the possibilty of a second device being left the West Coast Bank.

A thorough investigation is underway to find out what led up too the events last night and who carried out the attack that has left officers and bank staff dead or injured. in hopes of catching the individual(s) responsible.

My Opinion:

As we have seen all to well with last nights events, our brave police officers and there counterparts continue to strive to make our streets safe. and put there lives before ours, there friends and there families. They must be commended and respected for the jobs that they do, to help us live in safety in our homes and on our streets. These brave men are heroes, and hopefully recognised as such by the communities in which they serve and beyond.

Source: First hand as I live in the area, Oregonlive, Woodburn Independent