Message from the Team Commander (01/17/2020):
How time flies – the SSCHG has seen some very positive growth. Our Team has added two new members both with the Lynnwood police Department. Police Officer CJ Thayer and Custody Officer Sara Varela are our newest members. We are very excited to have them on board. Behind the Badge Foundation will be sponsoring a comprehensive 4-day Honor Guard Training in March, which will be located in Yakima. It is shaping up to be a very full class. Honor Guard from all around the Pacific Northwest attend this very valuable training. It allows Teams from different agencies to train together so when we do have a Line of Duty Death (LODD) Teams can come together and present an honorable tribute to the Fallen and their family.
We have been busy with other events as well. In November we participated with Mill Creek’s Veteran’s Day Memorial Presentation as well the City’s Annual Parade. Working on their Memorial Day events as we speak.
We were totality surprised by the Alderwood Terrace Rotary Foundation, who so generously donated $5,000.00 to our Team. A very big thank you to them! The South Everett Mukilteo Rotary Foundation and Private Asset Management, Inc. each donated $500.00. With our new additions, these donations could not have come at a better time!
Thank you to all who have so graciously donated to the SSCHG. Without such generosity, we are unable to purchase and maintain our uniforms, related equipment and trainings. As I have mentioned in previous letters, we are a multi-agency organization totally dependent on donations.
If your organization is looking for an event where you believe we can be of assistance, please do hesitate to contact us.
Thanks again – and please stay safe!
Sgt DJ Harris
Lynnwood Police Department
Commander – SSCHG
Message from the Commander (05/05/2019)
The SSCHG has been quite busy lately. We participated in both of Washington’s recent Line Of Duty Deaths (LODD), Deputy Ryan Thompson (Kittitas County) and Deputy Justin De Rosier (Cowlitz County). While these are always very difficult, we consider it a privilege to be a part of these heroes final tribute.
On Friday (May 3rd) we were invited to Present the Colors for the Alderwood Terrace Rotary Club, opening their “Putin’ on the Ritz” annual auction. There were well over 200 people who attended the event and we hope they enjoyed a great evening.
Our Team was totally surprised to be the recipient of a $5000.00 donation made to us by the Rotary. The SSCHG is a multi-agency organization and is totally self-funded. Without such generous donations we would not be able to provide our members with the equipment and training required when our Team is called upon. We truly believe in our motto – No greater duty – No greater Honor and strive to represent our Departments with professionalism and dignity, regardless of the event.
We will be participating in Mill Creek’s Memorial Day celebration later this month.
The SSCHG is currently staffed with 10 members from the Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mill Creek and Mount Lake Terrace Police Departments.
If you have an event and would like the SSCHG to be a part, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you to all who support our Team!
Respectfully,
Sgt. David J. Harris
Commander – South Snohomish County Honor Guard
Message from the Commander (04/19/2016)
Behind the Badge Foundation will be conducting the second annual Honor Guard Training in October. SSCHG is very excited that the training will be held here in Lynnwood. We are expecting well over 150 Honor Guard members from all around the area to include, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
Last year we had over 150 members and are anticipating very close to 200 this year. This training is an extensive three-day event culminating with a mock funeral for fallen officers.
It is impossible to put on such events without the help and support of the community. If you would like to help, please feel free to contact us as any donation is truly appreciated. If you are a business and would like to be a vendor at this event, please let me know and I will see to it you get off on the right foot.
Again, a thank you to all who have so generously donated to us; without you we could not provide the level of service our fallen brothers and sisters deserve.
David J. Harris
Commander – South Snohomish County Honor Guard
Message from the Commander (11/16/2015):
I wanted to take a brief moment to thank all of you for your charitable donations. While we still have a ways to go, your generosity has enabled our team to make several significant purchases towards obtaining our uniforms and equipment. Our team was also able to attend a 3-day intensive training sponsored by Behind the Badge Foundations. This training included Honor Guard Teams from Montana, Idaho, Oregon and throughout Washington with attendance being over 140 members.
Since that training the SSCHG was invited to attend our first event which was the Mill Creek Veteran’s Day Parade on November 11th. It was their 1st such parade, a huge success and an honor for us to participate. We will be attending the memorial service for one of Lynnwood’s retired Custody Officers who served for twenty years. On December 12th the SSCHG will be a part of an event sponsored by Behind the Badge in Edmonds honoring the families who have survived the loss of a Law Enforcement Officer.
Again, thank you to all of you who have donated to this worthy cause. It is because of your donations that we are able to provide the services that we inspire to go to those who need us during some very difficult times. “No greater duty – no greater honor.”
David J. Harris
Commander – South Snohomish County Honor Guard