PARKLAND, Wash. – Hundreds of police officers and other customers lined up early Saturday for the reopening of the Washington state coffee shop where four officers were shot and killed two weeks ago.
Bagpipers played as the Forza Coffee shop opened its doors at 8:14 a.m., the hour on Nov. 29 when Maurice Clemmons ambushed Lakewood Police Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold and Greg Richards.
Lakewood Police Chief Bret Farrar was the first customer. He hugged patrons who turned out to reclaim the shop from tragedy. Some waited up to three hours in line.
"It's just so heartwarming," Farrar said. "It really pounds home the point as to why we do this. It's a dangerous job and bad things happen sometimes, but we're out here to support the community and the community supports us."
One customer, Mathew Kilner, came from Gig Harbor to participate.
"I think it's important to show support for the law enforcement community and for the Lakewood Four. My brother and I came down to grab a cup of hot chocolate and support the Forza Coffee Company and their efforts and what they've done to support these families. We believe it's very important to be here and to show the community that we're not going to be scared away by violence," he said.
On Thursday, a blessing was held at Forza Coffee at 11401 Steele Street South. Performed by Associated Ministries, the blessing was done "to reclaim that space as a place for life," according to the coffee chain.
During a private ceremony in the cafe for the officers' families, Lakewood Police officers and the Forza staff, the decision was made to reopen the store Saturday at 8:14 a.m.
Sgt. Mark Renninger and officers Tina Griswold, Ronald Owens and Greg Richards were ambushed at 8:14 a.m. on Nov. 29.
The suspected killer, Maurice Clemmons, was shot and killed by a Seattle police officer two days later. Seven associates of Clemmons have now been charged with helping him elude police after the shooting.
Each of the 21 Forza branches in Washington and one in Colorado will feature plaques honoring the four officers, plus a Seattle officer shot and killed in an unrelated attack Oct. 31, the company said, and every new branch will open on its first day at 8:14 a.m.
The company's chief executive, Brad Carpenter, is a retired police officer and said he was touched by Saturday's turnout.
"The whole community is coming together and really showing us that evil and hate can stay in the darkness," he said. "We're turning on the lights and we're coming back."
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