Law officer slain by alleged drunk driver

Published 9:44 am Thursday, October 2, 2008

A recent Christmas card sent out by the Wyrsch family has four smiling faces: dad Shane, mom Zoe and the boys, Marcus and Kye. Future cards will be different. Shane Wyrsch died last week after a head-on collision with a man police say was driving drunk on a suspended license.

“Marcus and Kye will no longer have their dad in their lives, all because someone chose to drink and drive,” said the Rev. Jim Northrup, former pastor of the Wyrsch’s church in Enumclaw. “What an incredible tragedy.”

Wyrsch’s friends, family and co-workers will miss the big man they grew to love. The 1989 Mount Si High School graduate was a longtime law enforcement agent with the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Wyrsch, 35, of Enumclaw was off duty and returning home from a meeting about 10:20 p.m. Monday night, March 19, in his 2001 Ford pickup on highway 410.

According to the Washington State Patrol, an eastbound 1988 Ford pickup driven by Kenneth E. Clark of Tacoma swerved across the centerline near the intersection of 262nd Avenue East, striking Wyrsch’s vehicle head-on.

Wyrsch was taken to Tacoma General Hospital where he died several hours later. Clark, 43, was arrested at the scene for driving under the influence. He was taken to Tacoma General Hospital, where he was listed in serious condition the following day in the hospital’s intensive care unit. Upon discharge, Clark was booked into the Pierce County Jail on a charge of vehicular homicide Monday, March 26, with bail set at $10,000.

For the complete story, subscribe to the Valley Record, (425) 888-231