'He is a true hero, and he died protecting his community'
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BREMERTON, Wash. -- Saturday marks one year since the murder of Washington State Patrol trooper Tony Radulescu, and on Friday a memorial was unveiled in his honor at the state patrol regional headquarters.
In the pouring rain, fellow troopers, family and friends of Radulescu gathered for the unveiling of a monument in his honor.
"For we lost a great man," WSP Chief John Batiste said.
What appeared to be a routine traffic stop last February turned deadly when convicted felon Joshua Blake shot and killed Radulescu. Blake killed himself later that day after getting help from others running from police.
Friday was especially difficult for Radulescu's fiance, Gina Miller. Miller was ready to marry the 16-year WSP veteran, who was an immigrant from Romania who spoke five languages.
"It seems very surreal," Miller said. "I still wait for Tony to come home. I still wait for him to call."
Even in her grief, Miller wanted to be at the ceremony, along with Radulescu's son, Erick.
"It gets harder all the time because it just keeps setting in more and more that there's not that fall-back anymore. He was a really big part of my life," Erick said.
Erick helped pass the Blue Alert law shortly after his dad was killed. Similar to an Amber Alert, it alerts the community when an officer is down.
"He is a true hero, and he died protecting his community," Miller said at the ceremony.
Organizers chose to put the monument at WSP headquarters so it will be a constant reminder to fellow troopers to always be on alert.
In the pouring rain, fellow troopers, family and friends of Radulescu gathered for the unveiling of a monument in his honor.
"For we lost a great man," WSP Chief John Batiste said.
What appeared to be a routine traffic stop last February turned deadly when convicted felon Joshua Blake shot and killed Radulescu. Blake killed himself later that day after getting help from others running from police.
Friday was especially difficult for Radulescu's fiance, Gina Miller. Miller was ready to marry the 16-year WSP veteran, who was an immigrant from Romania who spoke five languages.
"It seems very surreal," Miller said. "I still wait for Tony to come home. I still wait for him to call."
Even in her grief, Miller wanted to be at the ceremony, along with Radulescu's son, Erick.
"It gets harder all the time because it just keeps setting in more and more that there's not that fall-back anymore. He was a really big part of my life," Erick said.
Erick helped pass the Blue Alert law shortly after his dad was killed. Similar to an Amber Alert, it alerts the community when an officer is down.
"He is a true hero, and he died protecting his community," Miller said at the ceremony.
Organizers chose to put the monument at WSP headquarters so it will be a constant reminder to fellow troopers to always be on alert.
Trooper Tony was well loved by my family. He always smiled and helped people. Great to have known him, to have shook his hand, with a bear he gave my daughter and love to hear the stories of how much fun he was to work with. We need more guys like him.
Tomi Davidson: "Upset with Fox News. They didn't say anything, about the Day of Resistance Rallies across the country. Heard there were around 50,000 people that participated. Which could have been a much higher number if people would stand up for their rights. Laziness is a disease even with conservatives."
Such evil people in this world. My condolences go out to Tony's family and friends. He is an Angel in heaven watching over all of them now
He was a wonderful man and very missed by Kitsap County.
All hats off for Trooper Radulescu.
God bless. Thank you to all the officers for protecting us we are grateful
Just moved to Port Orchard; yet know of Tony as we lived in WA area. What a loss to the troopers and his family. We love our men and women in blue! Thank you for the work you do!
Gonna be wearing my Trooper Tony bracelet when going out tonight, which I got from the great people at the coffee shop in Lakewood which I just passed by today. So we are not forgetting! :)
Playing devilâs advocate here, have to admit there is some truth to what NW-E states. I may have been gone from KOMOâs internet site for some time, but still watch their 11:00 newsâ¦. and just now have come to the realization that stories about memorials for those slain have been few and far in between just as NW-E says - almost all stories about the fallen is continuation of those cases, such as this last Mumford story about the death penalty being removed for the tableâ¦.. Iâm wondering if your hostility about his posts is somewhat egged on purely by who said it instead of whatwas said.
And the one link provided is to this very same story, only over at KIRO, not what NW asked for, which was for a link to a story HERE at KOMOâ¦.
@dome200q Well I'm not sure if they've actually posted those memorial stories here, I think they have, but I do know that there has been some mention of them one way or another on the air. At least on the 1 year anniversaries, they have.
@Zoso
I understand, and on this I cannot argue either way, but that was the focal point of NW-Eâs postâ¦.. not on KOMO â nothing about if stories were run on other news services, such as the link that TruthinAdverts gave for this very same story as carried over on KIRO. Wait a minute - I just went back and ran that link and it came up a different story than it did the first time.
And yes, I have seen at least one story about a memorial about the Lakewood officers, but donât remember where I saw itâ¦.
Before you folks start beating up on me for attempting to look on both sides (that means I also think he is sometimes overboard with his own agenda occasionally too),I pay close attention to anything about Tim Brenton, and because of that, about the others too. I worked with his Dad for several years, and had met Tim a couple of times at company functions.
PS - had a problem posting this - couldn't get it to post where it should have or address it to the proper folks, sory.
He went down in the line of duty a few blocks from me. He and all law enforcement are to commended for the jobs they do. And for the families with their support at home that make this possible. May you be comforted in his memory, and that he gave his life to serve and protect others. For that I am grateful, and I salute him and you all.
We have not forgotten...RIP Sir.
My daughter new Officer Tony. He was one of the officers that rode on the Ferry's at night. She said he was a great person. And he is missed in so many ways. Such a senseless act. I feel for his son, and girlfriend.
God. Bless. This. Family. He. Died. A. Hero. Doing. His. Job.
Your dedication and service are not forgotten and I am so sorry for the loss to your family and our state. We need more heros like you.
may he rest in peace
Time goes too quickly....RIP Tony.
Gone but not forgotten.
God bless you Tony.
Any other monuments being made for others?
Wearing my Team Tony WSP 557 shirt today.
:(
God bless your loved ones left to mourn, and thank you for your service.
A year has gone by but the grief and disbelief that sometthing like this could happen here is still there. God give all who have been touched by this senseless death a peace that surpasses all understanding. The memorial is beautiful!
God bless police officers, their loved one and just know that we care about your loss.
Gonna have to wear the Trooper Tony bracelet I got from the Lakewood coffee shop after making my donation to the family tomorrow. Nice memorial there and I really recommend to go down and check it out for those who haven't seen it.
you have to excuse me. what did this guy do to become a hero?
@BuddyHolly Probably more than you ever will do in your lifetime.
Nothing wrong with this but kind of off that Komo hasn't done memorial articles for hardly anyone and all of a sudden there are several about gun violence victims on the same day that gun control measures get defeated in the Senate, and one of the "memorial" articles is about someone who didn't even die. Komo, your anti-gun bias is showing.Â
@NW-Economist Really? They never did any of the sort for Tim Brenton, the Lakewood officers, Kent Mundell, the Mt. Rainier park ranger, even the 4 firefighters that died in that big blaze some years ago? They never did a memorial story for any of them? Oh, nevermind. I just realized who I'm talking to.
There have been several stories about the memorial for the Lakewood officers.
@pdfdems911Â Exactly my point! Wish Economist would figure that out.
@NW-Economist Um, this has been a story for quite a few NW news outlets this weekend. It has nothing to do with gun politics and everything to do with celebrating a brave man killed by a loser with a gun. Get off your political horse.
@Sanctuary @NW-EconomistShow me a recent "anniversary" memorial article,  I can't find any within the last 6-7 months on this site. Coincidence? I think not.Â
@Sanctuary Therefore, you shouldn't feed him anymore. Not responding to him just may be the only way to shut him up.
@NW-Economist @Sanctuary http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/community-honors-slain-state-trooper-1-year-annive/nWXYz/
Will that quiet you now? Probably not
@Sanctuary @NW-EconomistI don't see a link, where is it?
@NW-Economist @Sanctuary Komo, Kiro, Kitsap Sun, I can't believe I'm even indulging your political sewage. I'm actually insulting sewage when referring to you.