News-Tribune

Surrounded by her late husband's fellow officers, Jeannie Lone christened Seattle Police Patrol Boat No. 2 in memory of Officer Jackson Lone last Thursday.

Jackson Lone died on March 16 while trying to retrieve a wayward tugboat in the Lake Washington Ship Canal.

Chief Gil Kerlikowski welcomed Lone's family members, police and sheriff officers from other jurisdictions and media at the department's Harbor Patrol Unit Headquarters next to Gas Works Park.

Also in attendance were representatives from Kvichak Marine Industries, the company that built the boat. The boat was paid for by funds from the Department of Homeland Security.

Kerlikowski said the event was "tinged with sadness in honor of one of our fallen officers, Jackson Lone."

"He was a much honored and respected member of our police department," said Kerlikowski.

The police chief thinks the new boat is an important asset and will enhance the department's emergency response abilities.

The new boat is one of nine operated by the Seattle Police and will be stationed at the Bell Harbor facility on Elliott Bay. The vessels are the only ones in service 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the Pacific Northwest.

"The 1250 officers in the Seattle Police Department work hard everyday to keep the citizens safe and they are the finest anywhere. said Nickels. It is a proud day when we can give you a tool to make that job better."

With Jackson Lone's picture in front of the podium, Nickels said "his memory will be alive for a very, very long time. I'm proud to be here to honor his memory."

The 38-foot boat was designed by Jensen Maritime Consultants. Kvichak Marine Industries has extensive experience building police boats and boats for the U.S. military.

Officer Jim Muir said the boat can fight a fire and pump up to 1500 gallons of water a couple of hundred feet. It can also shoot fire fighting foam, stored in the hull of the boat.

Muir said the boat also has a radar and infrared camera to spot people in the water.

Ballard activist Rudy McCoy-Pantoja announced plans to create a monument to Jackson Lone a week after his death.

Childhood friend Rich "Bob" Weinmann is also raising money to rename a playfield in Greenwood. If the project goes through, it will be called the Jackson Lone Memorial Playfield.

For more information visit www.jacksonlone.com.