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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (May 12, 2017)
May 12, 2017 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com • 3A LEFT: Seaside Police Sgt. Jason Goodding’s name was recently etched onto the Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. CENTER: Seaside Police Chief Dave Ham spoke about the life and legacy of Sgt. Jason Goodding. RIGHT: Seaside Police Sgt. Jason Goodding was honored at the Oregon Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial ceremony. ‘OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL’ Goodding remembered at fallen officers memorial It described how an emotionally exhausted Goodding would often fall into bed fully clothed after a long day at work, only to take a call in the middle of the night to answer an of- ficer’s question. He would often con- fide in Amy when he felt helpless at a call on a particular day and wasn’t sure if he made the right decision in a given situation. “He believed that his body was his weapon and his mind his tool to protect and serve his family in service and hope,” the letter read. “There is nothing he wouldn’t give for you, and he worked himself into the ground trying to take care of ev- eryone but himself.” By Jack Heffernan EO Media Group SALEM — A misty-eyed Seaside Police Chief Dave Ham was in the middle of thanking Sgt. Jason Good- ding’s family when he was abruptly interrupted. “They’re really helping me out,” he said. “The strength and resiliency I see in your family is amazing, and all the open arms and hugs …” Suddenly, a puddle of water from the top of a large tent covering the audience before Ham splashed to the ground near the stage. “Wow. Thanks, Jason,” Ham said. Memories of Goodding were heavily present at the Oregon Pub- lic Safety Academy’s annual Fallen Law Enforcement Officers’ Memo- rial ceremony. Hundreds of people attended the 80-minute ceremony Tuesday, May 2, in Salem. Goodding’s name was the 183rd added to a memorial wall that served as a backdrop for the ceremony. The wall recognizes the law enforcement officers in Oregon who have died on the job since the 1880s. Goodding, 39, was shot and killed in February 2016 on Broadway in downtown Seaside while taking a man into custody on a warrant. Phillip Ferry, 55, shot Goodding once before Goodding’s partner, Da- vid Davidson, returned fire and killed Ferry. Goodding died at Providence Seaside Hospital later that night. Goodding is survived by his wife, Amy, and daughters, Joslyn and Jayden. “It’s been difficult driving by the driveway every day for a year, but I know I don’t have it half as bad as those two little girls and the wife and mom, Amy,” said Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin, the Gooddings’ next-door neighbor. “It strikes you at Family letters COLIN MURPHEY/EO MEDIA GROUP The Oregon Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial ceremony was held Tuesday in Salem and included family members, friends and colleagues of slain Seaside Police Sgt. Jason Goodding, who was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 5, 2016. Goodding’s widow, Amy Goodding, second from the left, attended the ceremony. the core, it really does. Jason was a smart man, a young, just a steadfast individual that was not only a good neighbor, a good friend, but a great cop.” Honoring the service Bagpipes, drums, flag presenta- tions with the American and Cana- dian national anthems, a roll call of all 183 slain officers and a 21-gun salute complemented other remarks made by officers, family and public officials. Guided by law enforcement offi- cers from throughout the state, fam- ilies of slain officers filed into their seats to begin the ceremony. Jerry Gaidos, a former chaplain for Clatsop County law enforcement who con- soled local officers after Goodding’s death, said a prayer. Officer Kenneth J. Henson II of the Lakewood Po- lice Department in Washington state gave a speech that highlighted how he and his department rallied to help the families of lost peers. ‘Daily struggle’ Then, it was Ham’s turn. “It’s been a long 14 months since Jason’s been gone,” he said. “It’s a daily struggle to keep from crying and missing my friend.” Ham delved in to the department’s struggles with personnel changes in the past 14 months, Goodding’s death being the most dramatic. “Out of the struggle came the hir- ing of new faces,” Ham said. “All of these personnel changes have brought a new and fresh face to the department and a level of excitement that I know Jason would be proud of. His excitement for the job is re- flected in the leadership of our de- partment now and in the faces of our current staff.” Amy’s letter During the speech, Ham read a letter Amy Goodding wrote to the Seaside Police Department shortly after her husband’s death. The police chief also read letters the family wrote specifically for the memorial. “His loss has created an empti- ness in our lives that can never be filled,” one of Amy’s letters read. “The hopes and dreams of our family have been shattered, and we are still trying to put the pieces back togeth- er. Jason will always be my husband, and he will never stop being Jayden and Joslyn’s daddy. But now he will be our guardian angel. We will make the best of this life that we are now going to have to face without him.” Joslyn and Jayden wrote about how much they love and miss their father. Joslyn added she wished she listened to more of his basketball coaching advice. Amy Goodding later helped lay wreaths on stands in front of the wall. One moment in Ham’s speech perhaps illustrated the struggle and perseverance of Goodding’s family and community, both last year and now. “Thank you to everyone who continues to support the Goodding family and the Seaside Police De- partment as we navigate through this hard time and we continue to grow to what has become our future,” Ham said in a progressively soft voice. “Excuse me,” he then said, col- lecting himself. Rep. Bonamici recognizes longtime Seaside columnist Lovell Speech hails her observations Seaside Signal Columnist Claire Lovell was recognized by U.S. Rep. Su- zanne Bonamici in a speech the floor of the U.S. House of Rep- resentatives Friday, April 28. The recognition for the longtime Seaside Signal col- umnist comes after her death earlier this year at the age of 96. Her column, “Scene and Heard,” was a regular staple of the newspaper, first appearing in January 1990 and continuing up to the time of her death on March 15. “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Claire Lovell, an accomplished col- umnist and devoted resident of Seaside, Oregon,” Bonamici said. “North Coast residents are richer for Claire’s pres- ence and I join them in cele- brating her life and her legacy. For 27 years, Claire’s column chronicled the happenings of Seaside with cogent prose and an observant eye. First known as ‘Overheard: Notes from Seaside,’ and later ‘Scene and Heard,’ her column was the first thing readers went to when they eagerly opened their newspaper. Indeed, some read- ers bought the newspaper just for her column. Claire was a Seaside resident for almost all of her 96 years and no one was better qualified to document the city’s life. “Whether she was shar- ing her observation on poli- tics popular culture, growing older or the birth of her first great-grandchild, Claire en- riched each topic with her sig- nature verve and keen love of the written word. In a recent column Claire wrote, wheth- er one is 5 years old or 95 as the case may be, life’s small pleasures are very important. For decades, one of Seaside’s small pleasures was reading her column. It is my honor to recognize Claire Lovell’s many contributions to our communi- ty and to offer my condolences to her family and the Seaside community on the loss of this remarkable woman. Her wit, wisdom and well-chosen words will not be forgotten.” Lovell was born in Seaside on Sept. 9, 1920, to Charles and Myrtle (Sawrey) Ruthrauff. The youngest of nine children, she attended Central School and Seaside Union High School, graduating as salutatorian with the Class of 1937, an honor she shared with close friend Evelyn (Stewart) Redkey. Claire is survived by her children, Robin (Hill) Derrin- ger (Stan Delgado) of Bremer- ton, Washington, Gary Hill (Connie Oksol) of Oakland, California, Jeffrey Hill (Nan- cy) and Lauren (Lovell) McMi- chaels (Rob), both of Eugene, Oregon; grandchildren, Aimee, Andra, Julia, David and Elena; and great-granddaughter, Em- ery. She was preceded in death by longtime friend and sweet- heart, John Raniero. A memorial service was held Saturday, May 6, at Sea- side United Methodist Church. Dedicated to Rules and Sound Finance Paid for by Fulton for Port Commissioner #1
