LAKEWOOD, Wash. - While hearts here are still heavy, there is a little more light shining on the Lakewood community, knowing the killer who claimed four of their finest will never hurt anyone else again.
"I just feel like safer about it knowing he's not here anymore," said Paxton Baker, who considered Officer Tina Griswold her friend.
Griswold was the resource officer at Woodbrook Middle School.
"She would just talk to us she'd actually hang out with us and she would just talk to us when we were really sad and she would just like be there for us no matter what," said Baker.
People have gone from anguish to anger. While everyone takes comfort this killer is off the streets, there is that nagging question that will forever go unanswered.
"I think the why, the why. I think we all want to know why someone would do something like this to people, to people who are such wonderful caring committed loving people," said Mona Johnson.
It's therapy for many of these people just to be able to come to the memorial at the Lakewood Police headquarters and grieve, to honor the sacrifice.
"Try to take one day at a time and make the best of it. And try to remember the good that these officers did," said one woman.
The police chaplain was at the memorial all day and has been a welcome ear to those who need one. The chaplain said the memorial at the police headquarters will stay up at least until the memorial service for the four officers, which is schedule for Tuesday.
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