DeputyDan
04-02-2007, 06:51 AM
As many of you already know, we lost a community sentinel – a warrior for justice – two weeks ago today. United States Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer Shane Wyrsch was hit and killed by a drunk driver on 410 outside of Buckley. Though he survived the initial head-on collision, his injuries were too significant to survive despite the heroic actions and efforts of the firefighters, Emergency Medical Services personnel, and hospital professionals who fought to save his life. He leaves behind his wife Zoe and sons Marcus age 5 and Ky age 3.
Shane was an incredible asset to the Greenwater and Crystal Mountain communities, and to the recreational public who frequented his domain. He worked tirelessly to serve and protect all of us. As the lone Pierce County Sheriff’s Deputy stationed in this region – he was my partner despite our working for separate agencies. We spent many a night responding to calls together, coordinating patrol coverage of the region, and sharing quiet conversation parked door to door during the late hours of the night. Shane was such an integral part of the law enforcement response in the region he never let forest boundaries stop him from helping or taking action. As such I worked with the USFS and Sheriff Pastor and had Shane commissioned as a Pierce County Deputy Sheriff.
When Shane was killed – my world – our world - was rocked. He was such a constant safety net for all of us. He supported not only my agency – but was a tremendous asset to the Washington State Patrol, as well as Greenwater Fire, Enumclaw Police, and for the Rangers of Mt. Rainier National Park. Chief Paul Sowers of Greenwater Fire wrote a letter of condolences to Zoe and the USFS staff in Enumclaw describing how important and incredible a person Shane was to all of us. He had a unique gift for dealing with people, and to quote Chief Sowers letter:
“Although possessed of a physically imposing appearance, Shane was not intimidating by nature. He was patient and courteous with the public, even those whose behavior and actions had merited no such consideration. His on-scene demeanor was always calm and professional. He performed his duties with dignity and courage in remote areas of the forest, alone and often far from any help. He was the finest of law enforcement officers, and the finest of men.”
Shane will always be a part of our community. If you met him - within 5 minutes you were considered a friend. He will be a legend whose stories will be told for decades to come. He will be impossible to replace.
It is time for the community to step up and take care of Shane’s responsibilities now –his family. It is the right thing to do. Though Shane left behind some financial resources for his family – there is need of additional help. The local Fraternal Order of Police is working to raise funds to pay off Shane’s mortgage and any other financial obligations Shane has left behind for his family. By relieving these financial obligations, Zoe will be able to stay in the family home in Enumclaw. Funds donated to the FOP are tax deductible as the FOP is a non-profit organization. All funds donated in Shane’s name to the FOP will have 100% pass-through to the family’s financial obligations. Please drop off a check with me or at the Greenwater store or with any Greenwater Firefighter – or call my home (360) 663-0271 and I will arrange to have it picked up. I will also have the tax ID number for you. Checks need to be made out to “FOP Chinook Lodge 21” and in the memo portion on your check write “Wyrsch Family Fund”.
For people wishing to donate directly to the day-to-day living expenses of the family, there is a second option for donating funds – a Wyrsch Family Benevolent Fund has been opened at the Bank of America in Enumclaw.
Shane was an incredible asset to the Greenwater and Crystal Mountain communities, and to the recreational public who frequented his domain. He worked tirelessly to serve and protect all of us. As the lone Pierce County Sheriff’s Deputy stationed in this region – he was my partner despite our working for separate agencies. We spent many a night responding to calls together, coordinating patrol coverage of the region, and sharing quiet conversation parked door to door during the late hours of the night. Shane was such an integral part of the law enforcement response in the region he never let forest boundaries stop him from helping or taking action. As such I worked with the USFS and Sheriff Pastor and had Shane commissioned as a Pierce County Deputy Sheriff.
When Shane was killed – my world – our world - was rocked. He was such a constant safety net for all of us. He supported not only my agency – but was a tremendous asset to the Washington State Patrol, as well as Greenwater Fire, Enumclaw Police, and for the Rangers of Mt. Rainier National Park. Chief Paul Sowers of Greenwater Fire wrote a letter of condolences to Zoe and the USFS staff in Enumclaw describing how important and incredible a person Shane was to all of us. He had a unique gift for dealing with people, and to quote Chief Sowers letter:
“Although possessed of a physically imposing appearance, Shane was not intimidating by nature. He was patient and courteous with the public, even those whose behavior and actions had merited no such consideration. His on-scene demeanor was always calm and professional. He performed his duties with dignity and courage in remote areas of the forest, alone and often far from any help. He was the finest of law enforcement officers, and the finest of men.”
Shane will always be a part of our community. If you met him - within 5 minutes you were considered a friend. He will be a legend whose stories will be told for decades to come. He will be impossible to replace.
It is time for the community to step up and take care of Shane’s responsibilities now –his family. It is the right thing to do. Though Shane left behind some financial resources for his family – there is need of additional help. The local Fraternal Order of Police is working to raise funds to pay off Shane’s mortgage and any other financial obligations Shane has left behind for his family. By relieving these financial obligations, Zoe will be able to stay in the family home in Enumclaw. Funds donated to the FOP are tax deductible as the FOP is a non-profit organization. All funds donated in Shane’s name to the FOP will have 100% pass-through to the family’s financial obligations. Please drop off a check with me or at the Greenwater store or with any Greenwater Firefighter – or call my home (360) 663-0271 and I will arrange to have it picked up. I will also have the tax ID number for you. Checks need to be made out to “FOP Chinook Lodge 21” and in the memo portion on your check write “Wyrsch Family Fund”.
For people wishing to donate directly to the day-to-day living expenses of the family, there is a second option for donating funds – a Wyrsch Family Benevolent Fund has been opened at the Bank of America in Enumclaw.