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Seattle Police Department buries two officers

by NATASHA RYAN / KING 5 News

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KING5.com

Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:42 PM

Updated Thursday, Jan 12 at 6:25 PM

SEATTLE -- Thursday will a challenging day for Seattle police officers. Two of their own will be laid to rest. 

Greg Suggett was diagnosed with leukemia in December and died within weeks. Officer Rick Nelson took his own life last week.   

Detective Greg Suggett was with SPD for 15 years, and spent over seven of those years working forensics out of the East Precinct. 

Sgt. Tom Doran says Suggett was a jack of all trades that took his job seriously but knew there was more to life than just work, especially when it came to his wife and five children. 

"He was a family man, he spent every minute with his family. He didn't allow his career to super-cede that," said Sgt. Doran.

Doran says when the department learned of the diagnosis, no one expected the 45-year-old Suggett to be gone so soon. 

"Things like this, Greg's sudden death in some ways makes us feel more vulnerable. We expect the dangers on the street,"  said Sgt. Doran. 

The department must now cope with burying another colleague and friend.

"These are terrible things but there are good things that come out of them sometimes, and I definitely see the department coming together," said Sgt. Doran.

Both Suggett and Nelson will be buried Thursday but the services are staggered so officers can attend both.

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Comments: Displaying 1 - 13 of 13

elmoe10016622218 said on January 12, 2012 at 10:45 PM

Kim, Madison, Sidney and My Granddaughter Mary, I will never forget Greg's words of encouragement when we were going through the struggle of a lifetime with our family. My heart of breaking for all of you. I can't help but think of how heartbreaking it will be for Lil Mary not to know such a wonderful Grandpa. Your all in our prayers! I am sorry we could not offer our support at the funeral given the circumstances but know that our hearts were there with you and you will be in our prayers for months to come. Should you need anything at all, please let me know. My number should be in Greg's phone. Know that you had a very compassionate, humble, caring husband that helped more people then you will ever know. I will never ever forget his guidance and the words he gave to me when I needed them most. Those words were "Fight for for your family and your marriage even though the unthinkable happened". He was a smart, educated, truly one of a kind. Thinking of you all!

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larry26 said on January 12, 2012 at 1:55 PM

It. saddens my heart to know that today, will will be burying two Seattle Police offerers, that have served the city for many years, My heart and prayers goes out to the familys, that are left behind. The oath to serve the public, is serious busisness.. I trust and respect every police officer that has taking the oath to serve and protect the family's of Seattle and all other city's and states; it not a easy job to do. But what I do hope is the Seattle Police Department changes its policy to help the officers, that for what ever reason, forget there oaths, We the citizens of Seattle and taxpayers deserve better and a more accountable policers as well as department heads,, It was very obvious that the cop that commited suiside was not incompliance to procedures for years,He been on a mission to harrassed the Neighborhoods of Rainer Valley. Its a loss of life, but one less crooked cop of the streets of Seattle. Drug Abuse has no face, color or creed attached to it. .

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conseula said on January 12, 2012 at 1:03 PM

@collegeguy..Beautiful comment and I'm sure Officer Nelson's family are greatful to know that you, and others as well as me support your kind words of understanding to his all those who loved him..

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JayNW said on January 12, 2012 at 12:51 PM

for every officer killed in the line of duty, at least 3 will commit suicide.

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collegeguy said on January 12, 2012 at 12:26 PM

Sadly, I know how Suggett's family feels, to lose someone so quickly and suddenly from illness. My heart goes out to them in their time of need. Also, to the family of Officer Nelson, despite what might have happened to taint his name at the end of his life, I am sure he was well loved and will be missed greatly by all. Do not let the cowards who did not know him take away from the life he had with you with their arrogant words.

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pixelater said on January 12, 2012 at 11:26 AM

Ahh, the scorn of the self righteous; those that live a perfect life beyond the reach and comprehension of us earthly individuals. *** There are always those people willing to lop off the heads of others so that they themselves appear taller.

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otter814u said on January 12, 2012 at 10:49 AM

Hopefully the city will not spend a ridiculous amount of taxpayers money on Nelsons service. If they do It would only be fair to give one to every other junkie out there.

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jamey said on January 12, 2012 at 10:17 AM

Being a police officer is more than just a job, it is a position of trust in the community. Nothing is more more basic than trust in any relationship. It is unfortunate that one officers celabration of a life well lived is being overshadowed by another officers life not so well.

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gladimoved said on January 12, 2012 at 9:10 AM

I'm shocked at the comments here which have a total disregard for life! You people, and you know who you are, aret awful representatives of the human race. Two people are dead, whether you love or hate police officers.....they are gone and you should have respect for the familes and their losses. RIP officers!

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hopeforthefuture said on January 12, 2012 at 7:41 AM

Tattooman ~ Just because he made a mistake does not make him a bad person. We all make mistakes. Some are worse than others and some have worse consequences. This man was a son, a grandson, possibly a brother, a nephew, a cousin. He was a husband and a father. And also a friend and fellow officer to many who are saddened and shocked by his passing. Show some respect for his loved ones and keep your negative and distaseful comments to yourself, and keep in mind that none of us are immune from this happening to one of our loved ones, or even ourselves.

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pixelater said on January 12, 2012 at 7:14 AM

@tattooman, maybe you could post for the rest of us mere humans how to live ones life perfectly without making any mistakes or bad decisions. *** Condolences to both officers’ families.

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vivianopasta said on January 12, 2012 at 6:03 AM

My thoughts and prayers to BOTH families, friends and colleagues.

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tattooman said on January 12, 2012 at 1:29 AM

Thoughts and prayers to the GOOD cop taken too early. He sounded like a good father/husband. This was truly sad. The bad cop, cocaine junky or dealer, glad to see him gone.. no need for people like him in the world

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