December 28, 2010

Good morning. I am Pat McCarthy, the Pierce County Executive.

I am here today representing 3,000 county employees as we honor Deputy Kent Mundell's service and sacrifice.

At his memorial service in January, I talked about how Pierce County employees are like a family. It's true. It's been a long and difficult year for the entire county family, and their hearts go out to Kent's family and friends.

So many people were affected by this tragedy.

The men and women of the Pierce County Sheriff's Department miss their dedicated colleague -- as do others in the public safety systems that work in partnership with the Sheriff's Department.

Employees in the county's Budget and Finance Department miss Kent's wife, Lisa, who was their colleague for some time. They know that she has another important job to do now - raising their children, Kirsten and Austin.

Many residents of East Pierce County personally knew Kent. They know they lost a protector - someone who looked out for them, who cared about their safety.

It was wonderful to see so many people lining the streets during the memorial procession last January. It was moving to see such deeply emotional support for a fallen officer.

None of these people who had direct contact with Kent will ever forget him. They will never take his sacrifice for granted.

We are here today because we need to make sure that this kind of community spirit, support and understanding continues. The community should have a regular reminder about this good and noble man who gave his life protecting others.

Earlier this fall, the law enforcement community gathered in Washington, D.C., for the groundbreaking of the National Law Enforcement Museum.

At that ceremony, United States Attorney General Eric Holder talked about a 'shared commitment.' It's a commitment to help our fellow citizens better understand - and more fully appreciate - the critical work of the law enforcement community.

These are the words that are etched into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial:

'It is not how these officers died that made them heroes. It is how they lived.'

Kent Mundell loved the outdoors. He loved Pierce County. And he loved public service.

Dedicating this trail in his memory is an appropriate way to honor him -- and to remind the people who visit this wonderful place that our safety and security sometimes comes with the highest price.

I hope that people who walk this trail and read this plaque find it to be a place of reflection and inspiration.

I want to thank Sheriff Paul Pastor and the entire staff of the Sheriff's Department for their service, and for their efforts to make this memorial a reality. I also thank Kathy Kravit-Smith, director of Pierce County Parks and Recreation, and her staff for their important role.

And, finally, I thank Kent's family and friends. What you' ve lost can never be replaced. But it can be honored.

Law enforcement agencies have a saying in these circumstances: 'Gone but not forgotten.'

Deputy Kent Mundell will always be remembered by those who served with him or knew him. Thanks to these actions today, he will also be honored by countless souls who never got the chance to meet him.

Thank you and God bless you.

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