WSP Memorial Foundation Store & More

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WSP Memorial Foundation Store & More The WSPMF is entrusted to preserve the memory of Washington State Patrol fallen officers and to provide assistance to active and retired WSP employees.

10/15/2026

The following were recently elected to serve on the WSP Memorial Foundation Board of Directors for a term of two years.
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Trooper John Axtman (D4/Spokane)
Retired Captain Neil Weaver (Retiree/Appointed)
Sergeant Jeffrey Heath (D3/Kennewick)
Heather Davis (Photographer/GMR)
Trooper Jennifer Bridges (D2/Seattle)
Sergeant Brian Gavin (D2/Bellevue)
CVEO 4 Maxwell McGuire (Headquarters)
Tawni Andrews (Management Analyst 5/Energy Efficiency Specialist)
Additional board members are:
Trooper Heather Axtman (Recruiter for HRD)
Detective Sergeant Robert Reyer (OPS)
Michelle Pardue (Secretary Senior/Chehalis)
K9 Handler Samantha Metcalf (HSD/Seattle)
Joshua Blessing (OA4/Office of Culture and Engagement
Corporal Nick King (Pre-Academy Cadet Coordinator/Emeritus)
Jon Nelson (Retired WSP Employee Association Representative)
Orest "Will" Wilson (Retired/Disability)
Megan King (Executive Director).
Elected Officers:
President: Captain Neil Weaver (OPS)
Vice President: K9 Handler Samantha Metcalf (HSD/Seattle)
Secretary-Treasurer: Tawni Andrews (Management Analyst 5/Energy Efficiency Specialist)
The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation (WSPMF) was founded on October 4, 1982, exclusively for charitable, educational, and benevolent purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The WSPMF provides financial assistance to current and retired Washington State Patrol employees, in times of need. The WSPMF has an annual scholarship fund for surviving spouses and children of our fallen officers. The WSPMF also has seven - four year renewalable scholarships, a Farrington Scholarship Award and two Barabara A. Brink Awards to surviving spouses and children of our fallen officers. https://www.wspmf.org
Please mark your calendar now to attend the 45th Annual Memorial Foundation Dinner & Auction on April 17, 2027. It will be held at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, WA to honor our 34 fallen officers and their families. Sponsorships open December 1, 2026. Dinner tickets go on sale January 1, 2027. Hotel information will be available soon. https://auctria.events/2027wspmfdinner
If you or someone you know would like to donate an item to the raffle or silent auction please contact Megan King at (360) 597-4411 or [email protected]. All proceeds from the dinner go to our Fallen Scholarship Fund.

We are just one week away from our 5th Annual Gundy-Hole Tournament.🗓 Saturday, October 24th at 1:30pm📍Arena Sports in M...
10/13/2026

We are just one week away from our 5th Annual Gundy-Hole Tournament.

🗓 Saturday, October 24th at 1:30pm
📍Arena Sports in Mill Creek
🎟 $20/player - Includes tournament entry, pizza lunch and a SWAG bag

Register at www.auctria.events/gundyhole

See you there!

The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation (WSPMF) was established in 1982 to pay tribute to the memory of those of...
10/09/2026

The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation (WSPMF) was established in 1982 to pay tribute to the memory of those officers who gave their lives while serving the citizens of the State of Washington.

The WSPMF is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Washington’s fallen officers and ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten. Through remembrance ceremonies, memorial support, and ongoing outreach, WSPMF honors both the officers and the families who continue to carry their legacy forward.

To honor our fallen officers, a summary of each officer’s service, along with a brief family update, is published on the anniversary of the officer’s death. This annual tribute serves as a meaningful reminder of their dedication, their sacrifice, and the enduring impact they have on the Washington State Patrol family and the communities they served.

Henry Douglas Cossmann was born on September 17, 1900, in Dewitt, Iowa, to John Cossmann and Beoda Kirtley. He grew up with two brothers, Leo and James. The family moved to Lane County, Oregon in 1911. The three brothers enjoyed camping and hiking in the Oregon woods.

Cossmann attended college at the University of Oregon beginning in 1920. He became a drum major in the university’s cadet corps and left for college for a stint in the Army Aviation Corps, stationed in Florida as an aviation field patrolman. He would later return to school and marry fellow alum, Ruby Myrtle McWherter. The couple later moved to Washington State.

Cossmann worked as a teacher and as a driver for the BM&S Company in the Tacoma area before being commissioned with the Washington Highway Patrol on August 6, 1929.

On October 9, 1929, Patrolman Cossmann was involved in a motorcycle collision at the intersection of 46th Street and Park Avenue in Tacoma. He was transported to a local hospital and never regained consciousness, tragically succumbing to his injuries. At the time of his death, Patrolman Cossmann had served only two months with the Washington Highway Patrol.

Patrolman Cossmann’s wife, Ruby, would go on to teach in the Tacoma Public Schools before passing away in 1997. His mother, Beoda, passed away in 1940. His father, John, passed away in 1954. His brother Leo passed away in 1978 and his brother James passed away in 1989.

Patrolman Cossmann, along with our other thirty-three fallen officers, will be honored at the annual memorial dinner. The Memorial Foundation Dinner and Auction will take place on April 17, 2027, at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Washington. This meaningful evening brings together law enforcement, families, friends, and community members to remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to the citizens of Washington State. Through remembrance, reflection, and fellowship, their sacrifice continues to be recognized and never forgotten.

Please take a moment to remember Patrolman Cossmann and his family.

The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation (WSPMF) was established in 1982 to pay tribute to the memory of those of...
10/07/2026

The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation (WSPMF) was established in 1982 to pay tribute to the memory of those officers who gave their lives while serving the citizens of the State of Washington.

The WSPMF is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Washington’s fallen officers and ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten. Through remembrance ceremonies, memorial support, and ongoing outreach, WSPMF honors both the officers and the families who continue to carry their legacy forward.

To honor our fallen officers, a summary of each officer’s service, along with a brief family update, is published on the anniversary of the officer’s death. This annual tribute serves as a meaningful reminder of their dedication, their sacrifice, and the enduring impact they have on the Washington State Patrol family and the communities they served.

Trooper James (Jim) Saunders was born August 2, 1968, to John and Jan Saunders in Clarkston, Washington. The family moved to Leavenworth where Jim graduated from Cascade High School in 1986. Jim received an Associate of Arts degree from Wenatchee Valley College in 1988, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Sciences from Whitworth College in 1990.

Jim’s law enforcement career began on January 7, 1991, as a cadet with the Washington State Patrol, assigned to the Governor’s Mansion Security detail. Jim joined the 73rd Trooper Basic Training Class and was commissioned on December 20, 1991, assigned to Grand Coulee in Grant County.

Trooper Saunders married his loving wife Billie on June 19, 1993, at the Grand Coulee Dam. Three years later, the young couple transferred to Kennewick and started their family. The couple would become parents to a daughter, Megan, and a son, Jim Jr. Unfortunately, Jim Jr. never had the opportunity to meet his father.

Trooper Saunders died on October 7, 1999, at the age of 31, from gunshot wounds while conducting a traffic stop in Pasco. At the time of his death, Trooper Saunders had served 8-1/2 years with the Washington State Patrol.

Trooper Saunders’ wife, Billie, lives in Western Washington. Their daughter, Megan, graduated from the University of Washington and worked for the Criminal Justice Training Commission as a Communications Manager. She is currently attending Gonzaga Law School. Their son, Jim Jr., graduated from the University of Washington and is the General Manager of the Landmark Crest Cinema Center. Trooper Saunders’ sister, Jennifer, lives in Spokane. His father, John, passed away in February 2023 and his mother, Jan, passed away in July 2024.

In May of 2000, Trooper Saunders was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for his actions on October 7, 1999, by the Law Enforcement – Medal of Honor Committee.

In June 2015, a dedication ceremony of the memorial to honor and remember Trooper Saunders was held at the Kennewick Office.

On June 24, 2022, a memorial garden dedication ceremony was held at the Union Gap District Office. When you visit the Union Gap District Office, take a moment to stop by the beautiful memorial that was created in remembrance of our three fallen troopers in District Three.

On October 7, 2024, a ceremony was held in Pasco to honor Trooper Saunders on the 25th anniversary of his line of duty death.

Trooper Saunders, along with our other thirty-three fallen officers, will be honored at the annual memorial dinner. The Memorial Foundation Dinner and Auction will take place on April 17, 2027, at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Washington. This meaningful evening brings together law enforcement, families, friends, and community members to remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to the citizens of Washington State. Through remembrance, reflection, and fellowship, their sacrifice continues to be recognized and never forgotten.

Please take a moment to remember Trooper Saunders and his family.

This 2026 collectible patch was created to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month.$1️⃣0️⃣ eachwww.wspmf.org/shopAll proceed...
10/01/2026

This 2026 collectible patch was created to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

$1️⃣0️⃣ each
www.wspmf.org/shop

All proceeds benefit the WSP Memorial Foundation - to help us provide assistance to active and retired Washington State Patrol employees and their families in times of need.

Limited quantity available. 🎀

These patches are not authorized to be worn on uniforms.

The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation (WSPMF) was established in 1982 to pay tribute to the memory of those of...
09/30/2026

The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation (WSPMF) was established in 1982 to pay tribute to the memory of those officers who gave their lives while serving the citizens of the State of Washington.

The WSPMF is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Washington’s fallen officers and ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten. Through remembrance ceremonies, memorial support, and ongoing outreach, WSPMF honors both the officers and the families who continue to carry their legacy forward.

To honor our fallen officers, a summary of each officer’s service, along with a brief family update, is published on the anniversary of the officer’s death. This annual tribute serves as a meaningful reminder of their dedication, their sacrifice, and the enduring impact they have on the Washington State Patrol family and the communities they served.

Vernon Fortin was born on December 16, 1898, to Napoleon S. Fortin and Effie F.E. Fortin in Mount Vernon, WA. Fortin and his four brothers, Clement, Joseph, Michael, and Frank, were raised on the family farm in Skagit Valley and attended school in Mount Vernon.

At just 17-years-old, Fortin joined the U.S. Army on May 16, 1916, as a private in Company C, 3rd Army M.P. Battalion in the midst of World War I. Fortin was first stationed at Camp Murray, in Washington, and was then transferred to Camp Mills in New York. The United States joined allied forces in World War I on April 6, 1917, and Fortin was sent overseas to France and Germany. Fortin served in the regions of Chateau-Thierry, Soissons, Saint-Michel, and Argonne in France during his 20 months of duty overseas.

Fortin met his future wife, Jeanne Marie, during his tour. The couple married in Coblenz, Germany on July 14, 1919. The pair returned to the United States where Fortinmustered out at Camp Hoboken in New Jersey on August 15, 1919. The Fortins returned to the Skagit Valley and had two children, a daughter, Marcelle, and a son, Paul.

On March 18, 1922, Patrolman Fortin was commissioned with the newly formed Washington Highway Patrol (WHP) and assigned to Whatcom and Skagit counties.

Patrolman Vernon Fortin died on September 30, 1923, at the age of 25. Patrolman Fortin was injured when his motorcycle collided with another patrolman’s motorcycle while they were en route to the Lynden fair for traffic duty. Patrolman Fortin died five days later from his injuries. At the time of his death, Patrolman Fortin had served 18 months with the WHP. Patrolman Fortin was the first to die in the line of duty for the WHP.

Shortly after Patrolman Fortin died, his widow, Jen Pecheur, and their children moved to France. Five years later, they moved back to the Mount Vernon area, where she taught French, and their children learned to speak English again. Jen met Edward Crandall a few years later and they married.

Patrolman Fortin’s daughter, Marcelle Gorman passed away in 2022 at 101 years old. Marcelle was just three-years-old, and her brother, Paul, was only two-years-old at the time of their father’s death. Marcelle’s two surviving children, Catherine and Daniel, live in the New Jersey area. Marcelle’s brother, Paul, passed away in 2003.

Patrolman Fortin had four brothers: Clement, Joseph, Michael, and Frank. Clement passed away in 1953. His only child, Mildred Rindal, passed in 2018, at the age of 84. Mildred's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all reside in Mount Vernon. Joseph passed away in 1970, leaving behind one daughter, Bonnie, who passed in 2004. Michael and Frank were twins. Frank passed away in infancy. Michael passed away in 1960, leaving behind no children.

In May of 2023, Patrolman Fortin was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for his actions on September 30, 1923, by the Law Enforcement – Medal of Honor Committee.

A ceremony to honor Patrolman Fortin’s 100th anniversary was held on September 30, 2023, at his gravesite in Mount Vernon, WA.

Patrolman Fortin, along with our other thirty-three fallen officers, will be honored at the annual memorial dinner. The Memorial Foundation Dinner and Auction will take place on April 17, 2027, at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Washington. This meaningful evening brings together law enforcement, families, friends, and community members to remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to the citizens of Washington State. Through remembrance, reflection, and fellowship, their sacrifice continues to be recognized and never forgotten.

Please take a moment to remember Patrolman Vernon Fortin and his family.

The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation (WSPMF) was established in 1982 to pay tribute to the memory of those of...
09/26/2026

The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation (WSPMF) was established in 1982 to pay tribute to the memory of those officers who gave their lives while serving the citizens of the State of Washington.

The WSPMF is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Washington’s fallen officers and ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten. Through remembrance ceremonies, memorial support, and ongoing outreach, WSPMF honors both the officers and the families who continue to carry their legacy forward.

To honor our fallen officers, a summary of each officer’s service, along with a brief family update, is published on the anniversary of the officer’s death. This annual tribute serves as a meaningful reminder of their dedication, their sacrifice, and the enduring impact they have on the Washington State Patrol family and the communities they served.

Eric Gunderson was born in Siesseton, South Dakota on October 5, 1982, to Tammy and Jeff Gunderson. He attended Franklin Pierce High School, where he met the love of his life, Kameron (Kami). After high school, Eric attended Pacific Lutheran University and graduated with a degree in finance. He began his career in law enforcement shortly thereafter. Eric and Kami were married in May 2007. Their son Blake was born in February 2008, followed by son Brayden in October 2010.

Eric began working for the Washington State Patrol on October 24, 2005, when he joined the 95th Basic Training Class. He was commissioned on April 16, 2008, and assigned to Tacoma. Trooper Gunderson promoted to Detective in the fall of 2014 and became the Technology Liaison in the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), located in District 1. This role allowed him to assist CID detectives, Field Operations Bureau Collision Technical Specialists, Collision Reconstruction Troopers, and the Crime Lab Division’s Crime Scene Response Team with technology questions, training, and troubleshooting. He was also a member of the WSP Special Weapons and Tactics team.

Detective Gunderson was revered for his understanding and incorporation of available technologies in law enforcement. He was an early adopter and enthusiast of unmanned aerial technology, and his work with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has been chronicled in media stories across the nation. His pioneering work allowed the state to reduce the length of road closures during collision investigations. Of specific note is his work after the 2017 Amtrak passenger train derailment in DuPont that gained wide acclaim and appreciation for its precision and value. Detective Gunderson traveled throughout the country representing the WSP as the premier agency in the world for UAV usage. Unfortunately, he contracted the COVID-19 virus while on one of these trips.

Detective Gunderson died at the age of 38 on September 26, 2021, after a courageous battle with the COVID-19 virus. He had served the Patrol for nearly 16 years at the time of his passing.

Detective Gunderson’s wife, Kami, resides in Graham. She enjoys spending time with their two boys, Blake (18) and Brayden (15), watching their sports games and working her photography business.

Blake is a freshman at Edmonds Community College where he will be playing baseball.

Brayden is a sophomore in high school. He continues to enjoy playing football.

Detective Gunderson’s parents, Tammy and Jeff, and his brother, Garrett, reside in the Seattle area. His brother, Jordan, resides in Chicago.

FLYMOTION created “The Gunderson Award” in October 2021, which was presented to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office at a training conference. This award is presented to an agency or first responder in recognition of their dedication to improving daily operations through Unmanned Aircraft Systems and technology integration. Here is a video, honoring Eric, which was shown at the Unmanned Tactical Application Conference (UTAC) in October 2021 in Perry, GA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR9sgYNPoJQ

In May 2022, the Gunderson family attended Police Week in Washington D.C. Detective Gunderson’s name was added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial and read during the Annual Candlelight Vigil.

In October 2022, a plaque honoring Detective Gunderson was added to the Memorial Wall located at the Helen Sommers building in Olympia.

On October 3, 2025, a dedication ceremony to honor and remember Detective Gunderson and the other Washington State Patrol fallen officers from Pierce County, was held at the Tacoma District.

Flowers will be placed honoring Detective Gunderson on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup. This marks the fifth anniversary of his line of duty death.

Detective Gunderson, along with our other thirty-three fallen officers, will be honored at the annual memorial dinner. The Memorial Foundation Dinner and Auction will take place on April 11, 2026, at the ilani Resort in Ridgefield, Washington. This meaningful evening brings together law enforcement, families, friends, and community members to remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to the citizens of Washington State. Through remembrance, reflection, and fellowship, their sacrifice continues to be recognized and never forgotten.

Please take a moment to remember Detective Gunderson and his family.

We are just one month away from our 5th Annual Gundy-Hole Tournament.🗓 Saturday, October 24th at 1:30pm📍Arena Sports in ...
09/24/2026

We are just one month away from our 5th Annual Gundy-Hole Tournament.

🗓 Saturday, October 24th at 1:30pm
📍Arena Sports in Mill Creek
🎟 $20/player - Includes tournament entry, pizza lunch and a SWAG bag

Register at www.auctria.events/gundyhole

See you there!

Our Memorial Miles t-shirts are available for purchase. Made out of athletic material. T-shirt has the badge and mournin...
09/20/2026

Our Memorial Miles t-shirts are available for purchase.

Made out of athletic material. T-shirt has the badge and mourning band on the front and our Memorial Miles, "We move. We remember." logo on the back.

$20 each
Available in small to 4x.

www.wspmf.org/shop

Address

PO Box 901
Prosser, WA
99350

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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