Officer Killed In Line Of Duty

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By By Kevin Reece

Summary

A Federal Way Police Officer was shot and killed with his own gun Saturday morning as he intervened in a domestic incident; suspect to make Monday court appearance.

Story Published: Aug 2, 2003 at 3:35 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:08 AM PDT

Officer Killed In Line Of Duty
KING COUNTY - A 28-year-old man arrested after a Federal Way police officer was shot to death is due in court on Monday.

Police have not officially released the name of the suspect, but the family of the suspect tell KOMO 4 News that he is Jason Scott Roberts.

Officer Patrick Maher, 46, was shot in the abdomen Saturday while he was scuffling with a suspect who grabbed the officer's gun. Police have confirmed Maher was shot with his own weapon.

It happened Saturday morning in the parking lot of a strip mall at Pacific Highway and 272nd Street. That's at the border between Kent and Federal Way.

The bizarre incident that led up to the deadly shooting started across the street from the strip mall, at a Federal Way AM/PM.

"The kid (the suspect) had jumped out of the car and grabbed the other guy out of the truck," says witness Heather Larsh, a clerk at the AM/PM. Larsh saw two brothers, their father, and an ex-girlfriend get into a fight and she watched the Federal Way officer intervene.

"Then he (the suspect) got up and took off running and everybody who was standing over there took off after him," says Larsh.

Federal Way Officer Patrick Maher gave chase, and police say Roberts tried to climb over a fence. That's when the officer reached him.

Paul Petersen with the Kent Police Department explains: "The officer pulled him down off of the fence and in some unknown way the suspect got control of the officer's gun."

According to police, the suspect pointed officer Maher's gun at the brother and ex-girlfriend he'd originally been fighting. Maher stepped between them and tried to get his gun back. Suddenly, the gun went off once.

"He just said he didn't mean to do it, didn't mean to do it," says witness Shane Barnett. He and another employee at a Firestone tire store ran to help.

At the same time the suspect's own brother tried wrestling the gun away from him. "The brother of the suspect immediately jumped in and kept him in a headlock and kept him secured until other officers arrived," says Petersen.

Another Firestone employee helped hold the suspect down while Shane Barnett tried to help the officer.

"He was on the ground bleeding pretty good, wasn't doing too hot," says Barnett.

Officer Maher was taken to Harborview, where his family was quickly brought to his side. He'd been shot in the lower abdomen and was rushed into surgery. Just before 5:00 p.m. KOMO 4 News confirmed the officer died from his injuries.

The slain officer was 46-years-old. He was a 7-year veteran of the Honolulu, Hawaii Police Department. He starting working with the Federal Way Police Department 8 months ago. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard.

"My condolences go out to the officer's family and himself, my thoughts and prayers are with him. For the other guy - take his butt to jail where he needs to be," says Larsh.

The suspect was arrested and taken to jail. Federal Way Police spokesman Kurt Schwan said charges are expected to be filed by Wednesday.

Police also wouldn't say what kind of gun Maher carried - only that Federal Way officers carry Glock 9mm handguns or .45-caliber handguns.

Police said members of Federal Way's 116-officer department are required to wear high-security holsters. Investigators were trying to determine how the suspect could grab Maher's gun, and why Maher chased him after breaking up the fight.