Written by Last week, the man who murdered our police specialist Bretta Hawkins was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The killer was sentenced to a second life term for killing Ms. Hawkins mother, Barbara Nettlebeck, a King County corrections officer. Both women were loved by their colleagues and their communities.
Bretta and her mother Barbara
An estimated 700 people turned out fourteen months ago to tearfully celebrate the lives of the two women who were taken from us. I described the service here.
Last week, the killer was handed two life sentences by the Pierce County Court. Here is the full story in the Seattle Times.
With the trial over, it’s time to try to forget the killer and focus on remembering the two lovely women who worked so hard for Renton and King County.
Here are some comments I saved from an online guest book a year ago:
March 26, 2009
Bretta was a wonderful person whose smiling face could brighten your day. We are blessed to have been fortunate enough to have had her bright spirit in our life. We will miss those Halloweens with you.
Your Friends,
Buddy, Paulette, Dave and Dan.
~
Buddy Wadsworth,
Tacoma, Washington
March 25, 2009
Our deepest sympathy for your loss.
Cousin,
Bernie & Pat (Campbell) Hansen
March 25, 2009
Words cannot express the shock and sadness that I have felt since hearing of Bretta’s passing. She had such a good heart and deserved a full life. I only hope that she is content where she is and is watching over us all.
~
Ann Roberts,
Moses Lake, Washington
March 24, 2009
I had a cupcake today, and it wasn’t Bretta’s. It was not filled with the zest and joy that she brought to everything she did, every person she touched. It was a sad thing. The world is a less wonderful place without her. Until we meet again, my friend.
~
Jeff Templeton,
Renton, Washington
March 24, 2009
On behalf of the members of the Puyallup Police Department I would like to express our condolences to the family and friends of Barbara and Bretta. Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones during their time of loss.
~
Chief Jim Collyer,
Puyallup, Washington
March 24, 2009
To all of Barbara and Bretta’s family and friends, our sympathy and prayers are with you. We only got to talk to Barbara and Bretta a couple of times, but we thought that both were very nice and it was obvious the love they had for animals, we were looking forward to having Barbara as a neighbor for many years. May they both rest in peace.
~
Craig & Carole Lynd,
Orting, Washington
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March 24, 2009
Keith and Joan, My family and I are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God be with you in this time of need.
~
Michel Lewis,
Puyallup, Washington
March 24, 2009
Joan and Keith,
There isn’t much more that I can say other than Karen and I have you both in our thoughts and prayers on this very trying day. They are both in a better place and in no more pain. We are both thinking of the two of you and if there is anything we can do, let us know.
~
John and Karen Eads,
Puyallup, Washington
March 23, 2009
Bretta, because of you I am a better person! I’m truly blessed to have known you and work with you. I will always look at a cupcake with a special thought and prayer in mind for you and your loving mother. My prayers are with you, your mother and your family that’s missing you~ May God bring them peace and comfort, during this difficult time. Good bye sweetie, until we meet again~
~
Tina Harris,
Renton Police, Washington
March 23, 2009
Hey Bretta–where did the time go, huh? You are one of the nicest people I have truly ever met. What a loss we have suffered from your absence. I will think of you always and hope to see you again one day!
~
Marina Stanifer,
Tacoma, Washington
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March 23, 2009
Bretta was the type of friend that was always there for you no matter what or how long you hadn’t seen her. She was a peaceful soul and cared for everyone. She will be missed! God blessed us all with Bretta. Although it was only for a short time, every second with her was a blessing!
~
Pat & Polly Braae,
Lake Forest Park, Washington
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March 23, 2009
The news of the loss of Bretta and her mom was shocking and unbelievable. I was one of Bretta’s trainers when she first started with Renton PD and it was a pleasure training and working with her. She was so eager to learn and caught on very quickly which made my job a lot easier. I enjoyed working and knowing Bretta.
To the family, their extended families and friends, you have my deepest sympathy for the sadness and emptiness they will leave behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bretta may there be comfort in knowing that you and your mom will be together…FOREVER!
Bretta you will be missed!!
~
Barbara Bird,
Gilbert, Arizona
March 23, 2009
Bretta, your bright smile and loving heart helped cheer us up on even the gloomiest of days. And oh yummy – those goodies!!! God is very fortunate to have you and your mother in his arms. We will miss you dearly sweet Angels.
~
Tanya Gardanar,
Renton, Washington
March 23, 2009
Bretta, you will be missed so much by everyone here. Just look at how many people you touched with your great smile! There just aren’t enough words that can adequately express our sorrow over the loss of you and your mother. I will keep you, your mom, and the rest of your family in my thoughts and prayers.
~
Sue Liska,
Renton PD
March 23, 2009
Bretta, you smile and kindness will be missed.
~
Johnny Mabry,
Phoneix, Arizona
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March 23, 2009
Bretta, My heart stopped when I heard the news of your passing. I’m sorry I didn’t work harder to stay in touch over the years. I will always remember the good times we all had, and keep those memories stored in my heart forever. I’ll always keep an ear open for the sounds of that two step up in the sky.
~
Elton Kleindl,
Puyallup, Washington
March 23, 2009
Bretta, thank you for beautiful smile and your upbeat attitude. I was so grateful you were on duty when I was helping with data entry. I always felt inadequate for interrupting you with questions, but you always said, “there are no stupid questions, so ask away.” I will miss you.
~Augustine Abram, Renton, Washington
March 23, 2009
Bretta, I will miss you so much. You always had a smile on your face and made my day brighter. I will miss talking music with you and Sinatra will always bring memories of you. God rest your soul.
~
Greg Barfield,
Renton, Washington
March 23, 2009
Bretta, It’s hard to put into words how much you will be missed. You were loved by so many. Only you could understand my crazy greyhound, and I wish we would have been able to create more memories together! I wish we would have gotten that hockey game in…..
~
Heather Miller,
Renton, Washington
March 22, 2009
Bretta, thanks for welcoming me into this department when I was the new guy. You always went the extra mile to help when I asked you a question or needed some information. Thanks to for all the great food you brought in for us to enjoy! You will be missed…
~
kevin Johnson,
Renton, Washington
March 22, 2009
Bretta, you’ll be greatly missed. I’ll miss your cheerfullness in the mornings at work. Thanks for always taking all that paperwork I gave you with a smile on your face. Regardless of what I said, all the food you brought in and baked was always delicious…even the brownies last month.
~
Dan Figaro,
Renton, Washington
March 22, 2009
I hadn’t seen my cousin Barbara for many years so still remember her as the little blond girl with curly locks running down the dock at Patterson Lake or unwrapping Christmas presents at our house in Steilacoom. My heart goes out to her and her daughter and may they rest in peace.
Scott
~
Scott Rossiter,
Kyoto
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March 21, 2009
My heart is so saddened at knowing your life ended in such a tragic way. Working with you in the past was a joy and you will always be someone I remember in a special way. My deepest thoughts and prayers go to your family and the Renton PD family you left behind. We now can think of you enjoying precious moments and joy with your mother in heaven.
~
Juli Cramer,
Post Falls, Idaho
March 21, 2009
All of us at City Hall will miss you Bretta. Your professional service to our city will be sorely missed; and we will always remember your cheerful attitude and radiant smile.
~
Randy Corman,
Renton
March 21, 2009
The memories span back almost 2 decades, and are more than I could possibly list. Bretta and Barbara both were two of the most caring loving people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. As hard as it is knowing there will be no new memories to share in the years to come, that grief and pain is eased by the knowledge they are together with our Maker and he will keep them forever safe as we remember those special times until we all meet again. God watch over us all as we grieve these two wonderful people who have touched so many.
~
Clint Westmoreland,
Bothell, Washington
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March 21, 2009
Bretta, You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
Now you can be the “WildAngel” that watches over us until we meet again…
Josh & Sandy McKinney
March 21, 2009
Bretta Girlfriend! We miss you already. You just came back to nights and we had some talkin to do! I’ll talk now and you can listen. Keep watch over your mother up there, I know how much you worried about her. You are forever in our thoughts.
~
Christy Mathews,
Renton, Washington
March 20, 2009
Dear Bretta,
Words cannot express the sorrow and anguish I feel right now having lost you in my life. Even though we only knew each other a short time, I considered you one of my closest friends. We bonded quickly working the weekend shift together at Renton PD. I knew right away that we would be friends because who else would listen to me gush about my pets! Your love of animals was one of the things that drew me to you. I figured that in the 3 1/2 years I knew you, we had 10 pets between the two of us! You amazed me with your positive attitude and sunny outlook on life. I have so many cherished memories of our friendship like dancing our butts off at The Retros, having a Halloween dinner last year and Christmas shopping in Seattle. I only wish we had more time together to make more memories. I will truly miss you and only regret I didn’t tell you these things while I had the chance. I know in my heart that you will be my friend forever. I miss you.
~
Karin Olson,
Seattle, Washington
March 20, 2009
The loss of Bretta has had a tremendous impact on not only our Police Department, but the entire City of Renton and each and every one of us who had the absolute pleasure to know her. Bretta had a way of smiling and brightening even your worst day. There just aren’t enough people in this world like Bretta and now we’ve lost one of the best. I know her memory will live on in us for years to come.
~
Mike Weisz,
Renton PD
March 20, 2009
I am deeply saddened to find out about the passing of Bretta and her mom.I befriended Bretta while attending Lincoln High School in Tacoma. I will forever remember her beautiful smile and positive outlook on life. My thoughts and prayers go to her family and close friends. May they rest in eternal peace.
~
Tom McDonald,
Thousand Oaks, California
March 20, 2009
Bretta started at Renton PD after I left, but I always heard about her from the gals there. I especially heard about all the baking she would do! That showed she cared for everyone so much.
~
Trina Cook,
Tukwila PD, Washington
March 20, 2009
Bretta will truly be missed. Her smile, Her zest for people and her willingness to do whatever she could to help out her fellow co-workers. And of course he wonderful treats so often brought in to brighten our day. We always lose the good ones way too soon.
~
Russ Radke,
Renton, Washington
March 20, 2009
Bretta, you are greatly missed! I will miss your bright smile!
~
Desiree Morley,
Renton, Washington
March 20, 2009
Bretta, you have the biggest heart of anyone I know. I will truely miss hearing your voice on the radio and seeing your smile at work. You are a true friend and will be missed forever. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
~
Randy Jensen,
Renton, Washington
March 20, 2009
It brought great sadness to hear about the tragic loss of Bretta and her mother Barbara. I worked with Bretta and always appreciated her willingness to help, her cheerful personality, and the great big smile she always seemed to have. You are missed!
~
Cathy Citron,
Renton PD, Washington
March 20, 2009
Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel about Bretta’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
Sent with Love and Remembrance,
Michele Bench-Pedersen and Family
March 20, 2009
I worked with Bretta and can say without hesitation that she was one of the kindest, most generous people I’ve ever known. She had a way of making people feel like they mattered–she always went out of her way to do kind things. She baked goodies and brought them into work practically every week. She never had a harsh word to say about anybody–she just wanted harmony and peace around her. And she loved her mother so much–I have never seen anyone with a closer relationship to their parent before.
A week before she was taken from us, she was the person who organized a going away party for me, and it was so sweet the way she made sure that everyone that I cared about was invited. She told me she didn’t want the cake to be decorated with the words “Goodbye”, so instead she had it say “Let’s Party!”–that just makes me feel so happy and so devastated at the same time. I feel so fortunate to have known her–she definitely made a very positive impact on me, and I hope she knows how much her kindness meant to me–she made me feel special.
My goal from here on out is to remember how Bretta was–kind, always full of hope, and never afraid to show her softer side–and try to be a better person in her honor. She will be missed so immensely.
My deepest sympathies go to her family and friends.
~
Kelly,
Renton, Washington
March 20, 2009
Bretta, such a smile that makes the clouds burst, burns in the hearts of all who’ve seen it. With you gone, the world is a darker place.
~
Kelly Braden Allen,
Sandy, Oregon
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March 19, 2009
Bretta,
You were a dear friend of mine that I have nothing but the fondest of memories of. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I will miss you and forever cherish our friendship.
You WILL be missed.
Love,
~
Chris Layden,
Stone Ridge, Virginia
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March 19, 2009
God Bless you Bretta may you rest in peace.
Kim and Shelby Blowers
March 19, 2009
Bretta, you were such a good friend. I have all the Mickey Mouse Christmas cards you sent me and I have been looking at all our old school pictures. My heart goes out to your family and your bff, Amanda. You 2 were a set and knowing you are not going to be around anymore makes me ache inside. I have the pictures of you and your horses, I know how much you loved them. Watch over us all until we can be with you again. God bless
~
Faye Dearinger,
Tacoma, Washington
March 19, 2009
Joan and Jerry,
We were shocked and sadden to read about Barbara and Bretta. Our prayers and thoughts will be with you and your families during this most difficult time.
sincerely,
cousins Kay and Joe
March 19, 2009
You were a great friend and confidant. You helped me with one of the most important parts in my life, Thank You. the both of you will always be rememberd and truly missed.
~
Dave Barnett,
Orting, Washington
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March 19, 2009
Much love from cousin Lucille. Wish we would have kept in touch more over the years but still so many fond memories of Patterson Lake and family gettogethers. I am so proud that Barbara and Bretta where part of my family. Much Love!
Lucille
~
Lucille de Rossiter-Gordon,
Olympia, Washington
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March 19, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. Bretta, I will miss our fun/long nights of (country) dancing. Your friendship was a blessing, and I will keep our memories close to my heart forever.
~
Amy,
Tacoma, Washington
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March 19, 2009
Our family would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of this mother and daughter. How very heartbreaking.
~
The Gordon Family,
Lakewood, Washington
March 19, 2009
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
The Medicine Shoppe Staff
Erin, Tami, Marybeth, Marge, and Cassandra
March 19, 2009
Barbara you were such a sweet person you will be missed take care of our girl. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family Daphne west (Friant)
~
daphne west,
spanaway, Washington
March 19, 2009
Bretta I will miss you so much. Growing up as kids from kindergarten to high school we had so much fun together. your life was taken so soon your in a better place now. Miss you lots Daphne west(Friant)
~
daphne Friant,
spanaway, Washington
March 19, 2009
Our prayers go out to you, Joan. To all the families who I know loved Barbara and Bretta so much. Emily told me all about the little chickens and how much she love all the animals. She will love and care for little Roxie with all her heart.
God bless you and watch over you.
Marilyn & Frank
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