SENATE RESOLUTION
8663

By Senators Ranker, Eide, King, Bailey, Hasegawa, Padden, Hewitt, Billig, Dammeier, Chase, Keiser, Tom, Honeyford, Kohl-Welles, Hobbs, Nelson, Fraser, Pearson, Becker, Holmquist Newbry, Braun, Kline, Brown, Smith, Litzow, Ericksen, Conway, Frockt, Parlette, Hargrove, Roach, Hill, Fain, Rivers, Schoesler, Baumgartner, Darneille, Murray, Schlicher, McAuliffe, Shin, Harper, Hatfield, Benton, Cleveland, O'Ban, Sheldon, Rolfes, and Mullet

     WHEREAS, Sean M. O'Connell Jr. was born September 10, 1974, in West Islip, New York and graduated from Pawling High School in Pawling, New York; and
     WHEREAS, Sean M. O'Connell Jr. served our country honorably in the United States Navy from October 13, 1992, to June 24, 1997, receiving numerous commendations and service medals; and
     WHEREAS, Sean M. O'Connell Jr. was commissioned on March 1, 1999, with the 82nd Trooper Basic Training Class as a Washington State Patrol Trooper and assigned to Marysville; and
     WHEREAS, Trooper Sean M. O'Connell Jr. became a strong and vital link between the work of the Washington State Patrol and the community he served; and
     WHEREAS, Trooper Sean M. O'Connell Jr. fully embodied the Washington State Patrol's motto of "Service with Humility" by performing his duties professionally with a positive attitude, a ubiquitous smile, and a deep respect for the community he served; and
     WHEREAS, Trooper Sean M. O'Connell Jr. honored Washington State Patrol Badge #1076 on his chest and on his patrol car license plate through years of selfless and courageous service; and
     WHEREAS, Trooper Sean M. O'Connell Jr. was tragically killed in the line of duty on May 31, 2013, after preserving the safety of others for nearly 15 years with the Washington State Patrol; and
     WHEREAS, Trooper Sean M. O'Connell Jr. will be missed dearly by his brothers and sisters in the State Patrol family and law enforcement, and his spirit of service will continue through the lives he impacted as well as those he touched throughout the community; and
     WHEREAS, Trooper Sean M. O'Connell Jr. was not only a loving son and brother but also a devoted husband to his wife Alissa for more than 12 years and an adoring father to his 7 year old son Kian and 5 year old daughter Miley;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate express its deepest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and community that have lost Trooper Sean M. O'Connell Jr.; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate join the people of the State of Washington in commending, saluting, and honoring Trooper Sean M. O'Connell Jr. for his exemplary and exceptional service; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate express profound appreciation and enduring gratitude to the brave men and women who protect our state every day as members of the Washington State Patrol; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the surviving family members of Trooper Sean M. O'Connell Jr., Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste, and Washington State Patrol Marysville District Commander Jeffrey R. Sass.

I, Hunter G. Goodman, Secretary of the Senate,
do hereby certify that this is a true and
correct copy of Senate Resolution 8663,
adopted by the Senate
June 10, 2013

HUNTER G. GOODMAN
Secretary of the Senate