Gratitude expressed to state workers

To The Eagle:

In the first two months of this year, the state of Washington has had three exemplary employees die on the job while serving and protecting the public. Our hearts go out to their families and the loved ones that have been left behind.

Every day state employees perform potentially dangerous jobs in uncertain and changing conditions. It might be a law enforcement officer working to preserve public safety, an inspector working to ensure roads and bridges are safe, a firefighter putting out a forest blaze, or a social worker working to protect our most vulnerable children and elderly citizens.

We, as public officials, want to express our gratitude to these men and women. They operate out of a sense of public service to their community and enjoyment of a job well done.

When a state employee loses their life on the job, it not only affects their family and co-workers but also the communities where they worked and lived. It is the person on the next stool over at the breakfast counter, the usher at your church, or the volunteer at our children’s school. The loss tears at the fabric of our communities, leaving us just that much more fragile.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) employee, Billy Rhynalds from North Bend, was helping secure a flooding roadway when a tree fell and took his life. He had promised to retire several times, but couldn’t give up serving the public and working with his crew. A 12-year veteran of WSDOT, Billy often volunteered to work extra hours when roads became flooded or snowed over.

The Department of Corrections officer, Jayme Biendl from Monroe, was tragically killed while on duty in a prison chapel. At the age of 34, she served the state for eight years and was a 2008 Officer of the Year. Jayme grew up in Granite Falls, Washington and is remembered as being a quiet, generous human being who loved her family and horses.

Sam Gaydeski was a Washington State Department of Natural Resources heavy equipment operator who was killed while cutting brush along a forest road on the Olympic Peninsula. Sam was devoted to his family, active in his community, and a long-time member of the Forks Lions Club.

These are the real stories of real people’s lives. Beyond the statistics and the job descriptions, there are thousands of stories all across the state of public employees who put their safety and sometimes their lives at risk for our well-being. Let’s all take a moment to appreciate their efforts.

Whether they are friends, family members, or just someone you know, please take time to thank the teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, inspectors and other public employees you know for the hard work they do in public service.

We will be joining you in thanking them for all they do.

Chris Gregoire,

Governor

Peter Goldmark,

Commissioner of Public Lands