COVID-19 prevents memorial for fallen trooper, but you can donate to his family
Social-distancing mandates to slow the spread of COVID-19 will prevent a memorial service — at least for now — for Washington State Patrol Trooper Justin Schaffer, who died in the line of duty Tuesday.
However, the state agency has now shared ways to provide financial assistance to Schaffer’s family.
Schaffer, 28, was laying spike strips across Interstate 5 in Chehalis when a suspect fleeing from Thurston County deputies hit him with his vehicle, according to State Patrol. Schaffer was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital, where he later died.
A State Patrol report alleges the suspect, William D. Thompson, 39, of Olympia, intentionally drove toward Schaffer and another trooper. Thompson is being held in Lewis County Jail on $5 million bail pending formal charges.
Schaffer had served with the State Patrol for seven years, according to WSP. He’s survived by his wife Sandra, as well as his mother, father, and brother. His father is Chehalis Police Chief Glenn Schaffer.
On Tuesday, the Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation wrote on Facebook that State Patrol was working with Schaffer’s family to determine how best to honor Schaffer in light of the current COVID-19-related restrictions on public gatherings.
The foundation, which supports families of fallen WSP officers, is currently collecting monetary donations and forwarding them to the Schaffer family, according to a WSP press release.
How to donate
- Go to a Chase Bank branch and make a deposit into the Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation account, writing “Schaffer Family Donation” on the check’s note line;
- Donate to the memorial foundation’s phone number (360-597-4411) or email (wspmemorialfoundation@gmail.com) using Zelle on your bank’s website or mobile application; or
- Mail a check made out to WSPMF with “Schaffer Family Donation” on the check’s note line to: WSPMF, P.O. Box 7544, Olympia, WA 98507.
Flowers and cards for the Schaffer family can be mailed to the Chehalis WSP Office, 850 NW Louisiana Ave., Chehalis, WA 98532.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 10:32 AM.
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