02/23/2025
Justice For All
Introduction:
What systematic factors continually contribute to the unequal impact of police using
unnecessary excessive force toward people of color, including Native Americans? This is a
question that many Americans still do not have a complete answer to. Historically, people of
color face higher racial profiling, higher incarceration rates, and higher murder rates. All these
are conducted by law enforcement and the United States justice system. This essay will explore a
specific protest within an Indigenous community that started with what they believed was a
“fight for their lives.”
Background:
On January 28th, 2016, Puyallup Tribal member Jacqueline Salyers was fatally shot by a
Tacoma Police officer after she was seen in the driver's seat with a robbery suspect (Kenneth
Wright Jr.) Allegedly, Salyers drove her car directly in the direction of the officers. Common
procedure put both officers, Scott Campbell and Aaron Joseph, on paid administrative leave. The
Tacoma Police Department released a statement stating that Officer Scott Campbell fired in
self-defense. Family members of Salyers noted that they believed the police department
“unnecessarily” withheld information upon her death and that they wanted a full investigation
conducted on this incident. An article posted by Revcom.us breaks down the crime scene. It adds
that news photographs of the car showed bullet holes in the passenger side of the front
windshield. As well as both the driver's side window and the passenger side window were
shattered. A bullet exit hole was found on the driver's side door; this possibly indicates that
Officer Campbell appeared to have fired from the passenger of the vehicle and not in front of the
vehicle.
The Families Beliefs:
I secured an exclusive interview with both James Rideout and Lisa Earl. I asked Rideout
about his initial involvement in the “Justice For Jackie” movement. He mentioned that he was
instructed to find his sister, Lisa Earl, Jacqueline's mother. Rideout added that when he saw her
“destroyed” on the corner of the crime scene, he immediately thought about what he could do
next. Rideout spoke with a local news channel covering the incident, Komo 7; a reporter
informed him that the police’s actions would be justified under the law. That's when Rideout
realized that change had to be made. Lisa Earl deeply expressed how personal investigators and
experts both say that Officer Scott Campbell was not firing his weapon from in front of the
vehicle. She noted that the experts believed they were firing from the passenger side. Earl also
talked about a camera that was put in place by the Tacoma Police Department, malfunctioned at
the time of the shooting. However, Earl added that experts believe that the footage was tampered
with in an attempt to delete any possible evidence. She also expressed that the officers, knowing
that Wright was armed, by procedure, were supposed to call for backup, although they continued
to attempt to execute the warrant of Mr. Wright, ultimately leading to Jacqueline’s death.
The Police’s Response:
The Tacoma Police Department is yet to release any statements regarding Jacqueline’s
death. Although, according to an article posted by the News Tribune (pg.1+) Mayor of Tacoma,
Marilyn Strickland, acknowledged the family’s pain and anger, promising a thorough
investigation. Strickland also noted, “What happened could happen to anyone, regardless of their
ethnic background.” She added that “95 percent” of the Tacoma Police Department is good.
The Protests:
Following the shooting, multiple protests would take place with the same purpose: to
seek answers and to have the officers removed from duty until a thorough investigation was
conducted.
The family became enraged after discovering that the two officers were back on duty
after their administrative leave period was up. Many protesters and family members felt insulted
by this. Two weeks after her death, the family of Jacqueline received a phone call. During an
autopsy report, it was concluded that Jacqueline was pregnant at the time of her death. This
would lead to the chant and saying “Justice for Jackie, and her unborn baby.”
The family and relatives of the victim, along with members of the Puyallup Tribe,
gathered at their local tribal administration building to march in protest for police accountability.
Nearly four hundred people assembled, holding banners and signs. Through social media,
participants announced they planned to "shut down the freeway” in a peaceful demonstration.
This prompted multiple police vehicles to block off SR-509 in Tacoma, according to James
Rideout, the uncle of Jacqueline. This ultimately brought the attention and media coverage the
protesters sought regarding the escalating issue of police using excessive force. Rideout
emphasized that their protests were consistently peaceful and purposeful. He also remarked, “It
wasn't just for people of color; the saying “Justice for Jackie, Justice for All” is indeed for..."
all.”
A photo posted by indianz.com shows two children and a teen holding a banner that read,
“WHY DID YOU KILL ME? AND MY BABY?, TACOMA POLICE (SCOTT CAMPBELL),
DID THIS TO ME!! WE WANT JUSTICE FOR JACKIE AND HER BABY.” As well as
another banner behind it, showing multiple victims who police have murdered. The majority of
those victims were African Americans.
In this specific march, in desperation for answers and the truth, protesters marched
roughly an hour and a half to the United States District Courthouse, fueled by pain and loss.
Protesters gathered outside the courthouse, chanting “Justice for Jackie, Justice for all.”
According to one of the spokesmen for the family, Chester Earl, they wanted the Justice
Department to intervene and investigate the shooting. After nearly 3 hours, the protest concluded
in hopes of grabbing attention from members inside the courthouse and those within the
community.
In my interview with Rideout, he said they would participate in other protests around the
state, stating, “It could be fifty or five hundred people, but we were always sharing our story.”
All of these protests raised awareness of Jacqueline’s story and their goal: to pass a bill that
could hold police accountable for excessive force, Rideout noted.
Impact:
After nearly three years, members of the Puyallup Tribe and Jacqueline's family,
including Lisa Earl, James Rideout, Tim Reyon, and Chester Earl, joined Washington State
Governor Jay Inslee at the state capitol to witness the signing of House Bill 1064. This bill offers
a more comprehensive and clearer version of I-940, which voters approved in November 2018.
Before I-940, it was nearly impossible to prosecute officers for using excessive deadly force in
Washington State. Prosecutors had to demonstrate that officers acted with “malice"; this initiative
eliminated that requirement. Additionally, it mandates that officers complete de-escalation and
mental health training, and it grants the ability to investigate cases like Jacqueline Salyer's
independently. Lisa Earl remarked, “It won’t bring Jackie back, but it gives me peace knowing
she was with us throughout this journey. Because of her and all those families that united to lead
this effort, this bill will help build community trust and preserve our future generations.” James
Rideout recalls the night the initiative passed in 2018, stating “It was a very critical time, all the
work, for this moment.” He added that the previous initiative failed with sixty percent no and
forty percent yes. Yet this is memorable to Rideout because I-940 was passed in the exact
opposite way. Sixty percent voted yes, while 40 percent voted no, ultimately leading to its
passing.
Present Day:
To this day, Lisa Earl, as well as James Rideout, continue to fight for complete justice for
Jacqueline and potentially save lives in the future. At this moment, nine years after Jacqueline’s
death, Officer Scott Campbell and Aaron Joseph are on track to be trialed in court, a date is yet to
be determined.
In summary, this specific protest highlighted the systematic injustice toward colored
communities. A local Native American tribe is desperate for justice for a member who was taken
away from an ongoing issue that they seem to believe is happening too often. This tribe has
worked for years to get where they are today. Through perseverance and strength, the family of
Jacqueline Salyer and members of the Puyallup Tribe were able to change the law and potentially
save lives for all, no matter race or gender.
Works Cited Page
Ocker, Kenny. “Tacoma May Day march has ‘Justice For Jackie’ theme” edited by Kenny Ocker,
The News Tribune, 2016, https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article75067682.html
Grimley, Brynn. “Hundreds Gather to march in protest of Tacoma police shooting.” Edited by
Natalie Deford, 2016, https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article66457942.html
Last Real Indians, “Jaqueline Slayers Memorial Vigil,” The New Indigenous Millennium, edited
by Last Real Indians, Last Real Indians, 2022,
https://lastrealindians.com/news/2022/2/17/jacqueline-salyers-memorial-vigil
Puyallup Tribal News Staff, “Justice For Jackie-It’s Now The Law.” Puyallup Tribe of Indians,
Puyallup Tribe of Indians, 2019,
https://www.puyalluptribe-nsn.gov/news/justice-for-jackie-is-justice-for-all-its-now-the-law/
Revolution newspaper, “Justice for Jaqueline Salyers” Revolution Newspaper, 2016,
https://revcom.us/en/a/429/justice-for-jaqueline-salyers-en.html
Editorial Board, “Tacoma cops, mayor must heal strained relations.” The News Tribune, 2016
https://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/article78981872.html
Interview with James Rideout, Puyallup Tribal member, Puyallup Tribe Councilman
Interview with Lisa Earl, Puyallup Tribal Member, Director at Puyallup Tribal Youth Center.
Interview with Chester Earl, Puyallup Tribal Member, Director of Community Events at Puyallup Tribe
Mayor shows sympathy to audience seeking justice for woman killed by police
