Officer McKissack speaks as police push for “catastrophic” benefits

1:10 PM: We are in SODO at Seattle Police Officers Guild HQ – with a room full of law enforcement officers from all over the area, and at the table in front of the room, former Southwest Precinct SPD Officer Jason McKissack (blue T-shirt), whose loss of medical benefits – since he cannot work following a vicious attack a year and a half ago – is triggering a campaign for legislation. Who else is here, is amazing. Officer Britt Sweeney, who survived the attack that killed SPD Officer Tim Brenton; Officer Brenton’s widow is here as well. “Call your legislators today,” Renee Maher, a law-enforcement advocate and police widow, is saying, re: HB 1679. 1:23 PM: Officer McKissack has just spoken. He says the city’s letter arrived just last Thursday, informing him of “medical separation,” and the hardest part was seeing his wife break down and cry. He also said it’s been tough to be off the job as he watched the recent officer murders – he feels like a “caged tiger,” wanting to do something: (video added 2:48 pm)

He also said the timing is unfortunate – he has found new medical treatment that may help him get better. Regarding the bill, advocates here say there are only six public-safety personnel statewide in the past 30-plus years who qualified as “catastrophically injured” and would be affected by this bill – Officer McKissack has not yet received that determination. (added 2 pm – his description of what he’s been coping with while trying to recover)

The Seattle Police Officers’ Guild also reiterates that they are accepting donations for his expenses through their fund. (The address is on this page on the SPOG site, with more information about the bill.) They also are “taking up other ideas on fundraising,” they say, and will have more on that in the weeks ahead. 5:30 PM UPDATE: Reminder, regarding fundraising: Two local karaoke hosts have stepped up for starters. Joe at Yen Wor announced on Facebook that he’s raising money for Officer McKissack’s fund Wednesday night at 9:30, and Willie Murderface announced in comments here last night that he is collecting for the fund this Saturday night at Goldie’s in Georgetown (WMF is a West Seattleite).

OP January 19, 2010 (2:22 pm)

Too bad there’s not a way to make the catatrophic pondscum who injured Officer McKissack pay—and, catastropically—for his injuries. Justice isn’t happening here, and that’s an even greater crime.

TW January 19, 2010 (5:17 pm)

We need a local fundraiser to help this injured man.

WSB January 19, 2010 (5:29 pm)

Here’s a start: Two local karaoke hosts are raising money during their next events – Joe at Yen Wor this Wednesday, 9:30 pm, and Willie Murderface (as announced in comments last night) at Goldie’s in Georgetown on Saturday, 9 pm.

Westie January 19, 2010 (6:18 pm)

Agree with OP. No excuse for what those pathetic youth did to this man, they’re not punished enough. From the media accounts (thanks WSB) they never even apologized or showed true remorse. That’s a danger to society if I ever saw it. At some point we’ll see these kids again, as adults, I just hope it’s not me or someone I love being attacked by them. Justice is not served.
Jason McKissack is a hero for is bravery and service.

4officerMcKissack January 19, 2010 (8:07 pm)

Incredibly sad but good to see the Guild standing behind him in the way they know how. It’s hard to fathom his journey – not only to be dropped by insurance but to never recover enough to go back to a job and the friends/co-workers you love is terrible. It’s also wonderful to see the fundraising efforts locally – good job!

Good will come of this somehow – it has to.

Michael January 19, 2010 (10:39 pm)

I am so sick of this crap – every freaking guy lays his ass on the line these days, for half the money and benefits these knock job bureaucrats with guns get. I’m gonna scream if I hear another one of these guys crying about how tough their damn jobs are. Go try being a logger in Aberdeen sometime and I’ll bet you’ll get your sweet donut ass back to seattle faster than you can say shop steward, and be thanking your lucky damn manicured stars you ain’t standing out in the rain like the real heros I know do – every day. And yeah, I know, you’re gonna shoot me for saying that if you get a chance.

Josh January 20, 2010 (1:10 am)

Good point Michael. Being a logger is hard. You never know when one of those logs is gonna go off on you, or get his other log buddies to try and kick your butt, just ’cause your doing your job, trying to send him off to the mill. Worse yet, every once and a while one of those really crazy logs thinks the loggers are trying to hang him up on a tree-rape charge, and goes and shoots a bunch of loggers. And of course, there’s the constant carping from people who only want to run you down, because they once had a tree fall on their house, which has nothing to do with you (as a logger) at all. Hard, hard job.

miws January 20, 2010 (8:10 am)

There’s no doubt that logging is a tough, dangerous job, as are many jobs.

However, Michael, your comments would be have been pretty tacky previously to around 10:00 p.m. October 30, 2009. But considering what has happened, in just under the last three months, your comments are offensive, and totally uncalled for.

The crap I’m getting tired of, is our Police Officers getting assaulted and murdered.

Mike