February 12, 2021
Olympia, Washington – I am honored to announce that the name of Trooper S. Renee Padgett has been approved for inclusion to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. Renee’s name will be formally dedicated on May 13, 2021, at the 33rd Annual Candlelight Vigil during National Police Week.
This inclusion formally acknowledges that Renee’s death was in the line of duty. Her name, along with our other 30 brave individuals who have offered the greatest and fullest measure of their devotion to the state of Washington, will be forever remembered.
Renee passed away on September 4, 2018, in Renton, Washington following a long and courageous battle with cancer. She served the Washington State Patrol and the citizens of Washington State for 27 years. Renee is survived by her wife, Marcella Egan, her children Gedeon Rene Padgett Lagasse and Olivia Rochelle Padgett Lagasse, and her sisters Nicole A. Cook of Kennewick, Washington and Jaclyn L. Padgett of Boise, Idaho.
Renee began working for the Washington State Patrol on March 11, 1991, as a Trooper Cadet assigned to Gig Harbor. She began training with the 73rd Trooper Basic Training Class on July 29, 1991, and received her commission on December 20, 1991, assigned to Bellevue. On September 16, 2003, Trooper Padgett became a Wrecking Yard Trooper and remained in Bellevue for the rest of her career.
Renee’s long career was one of innovation and impact. She was honored with the Chief’s Award for Professional Excellence for her hard work, dedication, and professionalism during the investigation and successful prosecution of dangerous, illegal wrecking yards from 1999 – 2005. She also received a Commendation Award for her outstanding efforts in traffic safety, Detachment of the Year in 1996 – 1997, as well as the Outstanding Public Service Award.
In April 2006, Renee was recognized for her role in a very successful Problem Oriented Policing (POPS) project, Homeward Bound, which helped find missing children in Washington State. That program continues today with commercial trailers rolling through British Columbia, Mexico and the western United States adorned
with photos and time advanced representations of children, some of whom have been missing for years. Dozens of missing children have been highlighted and in at least two cases, publication has assisted in recovery.
In 2007, Renee received the Herman Goldstein Award for Excellence in Problem Oriented Policing. Trooper Padgett was selected and honored as the Commercial Vehicle Trooper of the Year in 2008. In 2009, she received a Commendation Award for an Exemplary POPS project for “Curbstoning” the identification and removal of unsafe vehicles (wrecks rebuilt without attention to proper safety standards) from the road.
Trooper Padgett’s innovative spirit and solutions-based approach to police work continued throughout her career. In 2014, Renee initiated a POPS project and was awarded the Project of the Year for Washington State. She initiated Operation SAFE Student (Speed, Aggressive Driving, Fail to Stop, Enforcement), working in conjunction with other local agencies to crackdown on motorists who violate the School Bus Paddle Law.
Though our organizational motto is ‘Service with Humility,’ we can and should all feel pride for the accomplishments of this fine trooper and outstanding public servant. It is fitting that her name be held in reverence and honor in our national capitol and here at home for her service and sacrifice.
Chief John R. Batiste
Washington State Patrol
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