Washington will become the eighth state to implement a Blue Alert system to alert the public of incidents where a law enforcement officer has been killed or seriously injured by someone and the suspect remains at large.

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the legislation Thursday.

In a press release, Metropolitan King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn said, “This is a great day for Washington’s law enforcement community, and recognition of the unique role public safety officers have in our society. These are men and women who leave home every day knowing they might not be coming back. Any system that helps make the public aware of attacks on law enforcement is a step towards protecting them and assisting in apprehending those responsible.”

At its February 27 meeting, the King County Council gave its unanimous support to a motion introduced by Dunn urging the Legislature to act on a HB 1820.

In 2010, Dunn sponsored a Council motion urging the Legislature to pass the Lakewood Law Enforcement Memorial Act which placed on the ballot a constitutional amendment giving judges the ability to deny bail to those facing a life sentence. The constitutional amendment passed with 85 percent of the vote.