Small Town News

Classmates remember Officer Brenton

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Officer Tim Brenton, who was shot and killed Oct. 31 at 29th Avenue and East Yesler Way, was a class of 1988 graduate at West Seattle High School. Classmates honored his memory with an informal get-together Nov. 4 at Pegasus Pizza on Alki. Many who attended had celebrated their 20th class reunion with Brenton last year. Some were close friends with Brenton, including J Havner.

"Tim and I would hang out on the weekends together, shared a limo together with our group of friends at senior prom, talked about life together after high school, kept in touch while he was in the army. He gets busy working for the police department. I get busy with the fire department," recalled Havner I'm captain of Station 24 in Greenwood. Worked for Seattle Fire (Department) for 15 years. We had that spirit of service."

"Tim lived in a house right down the street from me, and I was one of those stuck-up punk rocker girls, and I didn't associate with nice guys," said Allecia Clemons. "Tim was a nice guy. I came from a rough background so I was attracted to bad guys, not good guys. Clemons is now a singer-songwriter with a band and a day job. "I was too shy to ask him to a dance," she said with some regret.

"I am here because through Facebook a bunch of my friends posted pictures of Tim," said Eileen de Guzman. Some might be familiar with her name as her father, Camilo, is a popular long-time veterinarian in White Center. "I contacted Clara Doray and wanted to help, and I donated flowers. I last saw Tim at the 20th reunion. I'm here to show support for him."

Jennifer Mertel and Cara Doray were Tim's friend, and organized this gathering. Doray is the general manager of Pegasus.

"Jennifer and I tried to do something more for Tim's family and decided on this and collect donations for his family," said Doray. "1 remember him being a kind, happy man."

"We're here to honor Tim," said Seattle Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Nakam-ichi, who was invited by fellow fire fighter Havner with about a dozen fire fighters of Engine 13 and members of the fire department's technical rescue team. They gave a donation.

"I didn't know Tim, but our departments work side by side," said Nakamichi. "Furthermore, his brother-in-law is in the fire department and works in my battalion, Derek Porter. So he's one of my guys and we support famiiy"

Officer Tim Brenton leaves behind wife Lisa and two children, Kayleigh and Quinn. Brenton, 39, joined the Seattle Police Department in 2000 after working as an officer in Hoquiam and La Conner. He also served in the U.S. Army. His father also was a Seattle police officer.,

You can donate to the "Brenton Family Assistance Fund" at any Bank of America Branch.

Steve Shay can be reached at steves@robinsonnews.com

"Tim was a nice guy. I came from a rough background so I was attracted to bad guys, ot good guys....I was too shy to ask him to a dance." Allecia Clemons



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© 2010 West Seattle Herald Seattle, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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