OLYMPIA—In a press release, Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste shares his appreciation and thanks to the public for their overwhelming support to Trooper Ray Seaburg and his family after a near fatal shooting on February 16.

“We are in a dangerous business, but that danger is the price of public safety for the state we so love and its people that we are sworn to protect,” Chief Batiste wrote. “In the Washington State Patrol, we serve with humility but know that we also serve with a firm resolve to do all we can do to keep the public and our roadways safe. The outpouring of support we have received for our wounded trooper, his family, and the ‘family’ of the Patrol is truly and deeply felt and appreciated.”

Chief Batiste added, “I want to publicly thank the other troopers, the Kent police officers, and the first responder/medical professionals who so quickly attended to our wounded colleague’s urgent medical needs. Their quick and heroic actions kept this from being a larger tragedy.”

Trooper Seaburg, a 21-year veteran of the Washington State Patrol, attempted to pull over a black Ford for suspicion of DUI on SR-167 just before midnight on Friday, February 16, when it fled. After terminating pursuit, he later observed the vehicle involved in a collision on the 1600 block of West James Place in Kent with the driver fleeing on foot.

Trooper Seaburg then pursued the driver on foot. A physical altercation ensured resulting in the suspect gaining access to Trooper Seaburg’s firearm then shooting him nine times.

The suspect, Jason Joshua Posada, 31, of Federal Way, was later apprehended by Kent police in an apartment complex near the incident with support from a helicopter and K-9 units.

Trooper Seaburg suffered a severed femoral artery among other injuries. A Kent Police Officer and a WSP Trooper applied lifesaving torniquets to both of Ray’s legs, preventing massive blood loss. He was taken to Harborview where he underwent emergency surgery for 9 bullet hole wounds in his legs and a bullet wound in his hand. Trooper Seaburg is expected to survive.

Posada was booked into King County Jail on Saturday, February 17, and was charged with first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement, unlawful possession of a firearm, and theft of a firearm. However, according to a news report by Jason Rantz, judge Zach Franz wanted to let the suspect go because the first appearance court hearing on Monday, February 19, exceeded the required 48-hour limit. It took an outstanding warrant from Pierce County to keep Posada from being released.

Posada is currently in King County jail on a $3 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on March 4. He has an extensive criminal background—robbery, attempted burglary, stolen vehicle, assault—and was bailed out by the controversial Northwest Community Bail Fund in June of last year, KOMO reports.

Trooper Seaburg is the sole provider for his family, wife Devon, daughter Payton and twins Autumn and Logan. If you would like to help the family during their road to recovery, click here.