Family members and friends of nine state troopers gathered in Bellevue on May 20 to help the Washington State Patrol dedicate a memorial to their fallen brethren.

“Their duty was to serve. Our duty is to remember,” said Washington State Patrol Captain Ron Mead, who leads the district in which the nine troopers died while serving. “It is our hope that this memorial will forever be a visual reminder to those visiting this office, whether they are members of the public, current State Patrol employees, retirees or most importantly the families that endured the incredible loss of these fallen heroes.”

The east side of the District Two campus, which was once covered in weeds, vegetation and dirt, now houses interactive placards featuring each of the honored troopers: Steven Frink, Cliff Hansell, Clarence Johnson, Paul H. Johnson, Allen Ludden, William H. Pautzke, Loren G. Ray, Glenda Thomas and Irving Thorsvig.

Members of the Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation — including retired state trooper and brother of a fallen officer, Stu Frink — began planning for the King County Trooper’s Memorial last year.

His brother, Steven, who was killed in 1993 when the automobile he was pursuing spun out of control and he was thrown from his motorcycle. While it’s been a long time since his brother died, it always feels like it was just yesterday, Stu Frink said.

“I’m not quite sure how to put [what I’m feeling today] into words. It’s certainly a great tribute to my brother,” he said. “His death, it’s the duties and the challenges of working in law enforcement.”

Frink’s widow, Gayle Frink-Schultz, also helped plan the memorial for her late husband and joined State Patrol Chaplain Daryl Russell in prayer before the ceremony. Sammamish-resident Frink-Schultz helped organize a support system for the families of fallen troopers following her husband’s death and was also involved with the planning of the Law Enforcement Memorial in Olympia.

District Two, which serves King County, has lost the most troopers of any of the eight regions statewide. Altogether, 29 state troopers have have killed since the 1920s while serving the people of Washington.

“It’s our hope that we never have to add another name to our list of 29… Thank you for helping us honor their legacy,” Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste said during the dedication ceremony.