CRIME WATCH: State Patrol announces arrest of longtime fugitive vehicular-homicide suspect in West Seattle

| Crime | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tips. An arrest involving SWAT officers in Highland Park this afternoon turns out to be this arrest announced late today by the Washington State Patrol:

On April 2, 2026, Washington State Patrol (WSP) detectives arrested a longtime fugitive in West Seattle.

Jerry C. Denson, 36, was placed on the WSP Most Wanted list in 2017 after failing to appear in court on a vehicular homicide charge. The charge stems from a DUI-related collision on Interstate 5 in Kent, in which Joy Marie Brannon, a 28-year-old passenger in Denson’s vehicle, was tragically killed.

Over the past several months, WSP detectives and the Organized Crime Intel Unit developed credible information regarding Denson’s whereabouts and worked in close coordination with members of the U.S.
Marshals Violent Offender Task Force to safely apprehend him.

Denson was taken into custody without incident and booked into the King County Jail, where he will face proceedings related to the original vehicular homicide charge.

“No matter how much time passes, we will continue to pursue those who evade accountability for serious crimes,” said Trisena Sharff, Captain of the Washington State Patrol’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Today’s arrest is the result of relentless investigative work and strong partnerships, and we hope it brings some measure of justice to the Brannon family.”

“This tragic crash was not forgotten, and I appreciate the work between the State Patrol and our Special Operations Unit to find and safely apprehend this defendant,” King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion said. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and this vehicular homicide case will move forward in the courts with our Felony Traffic Unit.”

The Washington State Patrol thanks the King County Prosecutor’s Office and U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Task Force for their assistance in apprehending Denson and helping bring a measure of justice to the Brannon family.

The King County Jail roster shows he was booked about two and a half hours ago, with bail set at $100,000.

DRW April 2, 2026 (6:09 pm)

Thank you WSP and SWAT.

Why was he out on bail April 2, 2026 (6:25 pm)

on a vehicular homicide charge?

K April 3, 2026 (5:52 am)

That bail for vehicular homicide doesn’t surprise me. That bail after almost a decade of evading justice does. Bail isn’t a punishment for the crime, it’s a cash surety to make sure you show up to court. This person seems to need a much greater incentive to show up to court if he has evaded his charges this long.

26er April 2, 2026 (6:35 pm)

Excellent job SPD! So grateful for your service and protection.

K April 3, 2026 (5:49 am)

SPD had nothing to do with this.

Admiral2009 April 2, 2026 (6:36 pm)

Good work WSP, hopefully the bail will be set with two more zeros added and then the system make the perp accountable!

Patrick April 2, 2026 (6:54 pm)

Only 100K bail? If he comes up with 10K, he’s back on the streets.

Derp April 2, 2026 (7:13 pm)

The US Marshals violent offenders task force are awesome. They just picked up my sons killer in California, 16 months to the day from his passing. Great job everyone involved.

Marcus April 3, 2026 (7:38 am)

Derp, sad to hear about your son! Glad the criminal is caught but that is indeed little condolences for your loss.
- Derp April 3, 2026 (10:01 am)
  
  He killed 3 people, the little …….. is going away for a long time. Thank you
Alki resident April 3, 2026 (11:40 am)

Derp, I’m so sorry. Prayers to you and your family.
- Derp April 4, 2026 (8:22 am)
  
  Thank you

Rhonda April 2, 2026 (7:25 pm)

Good snare, WSP 💪

Ve April 2, 2026 (8:20 pm)

Thats amazing work by all departments

Hammer in Hand April 2, 2026 (9:08 pm)

You can run… but you cannot hide. Good quality police work by all. Thank you for your service!!

David in WS April 2, 2026 (10:04 pm)

I know Captain Sharff and the WSP CID professionally. They are a top notch organization and we are fortunate to have them in our state!

Jeef April 2, 2026 (10:18 pm)

We need to crack down on all the criminality and violence associated with these car drivers.

Mellow Kitty April 3, 2026 (9:11 am)

We need harsher penalties for DUIs. I’ve lost two friends to two different drunks who had already been busted for multiple DUIs. First offense, you lose your license for a year. Second offense, lose your license for 2 years and get a mandatory 90 days in jail. Third offense, you lose your license for life and get a mandatory 364 days in jail. And that’s just for getting pulled over. If you murder someone because you drove drunk, life in prison for premeditated murder. Driving drunk is a choice.

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