Trooper shot in Kent ‘lucky to be alive,’ according to sources

Tourniquet had to be applied to his leg to save his life

Photo courtesy GoFundMe
Trooper Raymond Seaburg.

Photo courtesy GoFundMe Trooper Raymond Seaburg.

Many in South King County know that Washington State Patrol Trooper Raymond Seaburg was shot in Kent after pursuing a possible DUI suspect that turned violent.

What some may not know is that he is well known in Enumclaw, especially at the Enumclaw Police Department, having been posted at the local State Patrol office there for a number of years.

While the Feb. 16 incident, which involved eight-time felon Jason Joshua Posada — who is now also charged with first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and firearm theft — was widely reported in Seattle-area media, two sources speaking on background said that the coverage hasn’t adequately painted how close Seaburg came to being killed.

“He is lucky to be alive,” both said, verbatim.

A GoFundMe account has been created to support Seaburg and his family, which includes a daughter and two twins.

As of Feb. 27, more than 900 donations raised about $111,847 of the $125,000 goal in three days. Not only have King County friends, family, co-workers, and residents contributed to the fundraiser, but out-of-state law enforcement as well, from Ohio and South Carolina.

To contribute to the fundraiser, go to gofundme.com/f/help-support-trooper-seaburg-family.

A brush with death

Trooper Seaburg, a 21-year veteran with the State Patrol, had been recently brought off Enumclaw detail to work on a special assignment to reduce violent crime on state highways and freeways when he attempted to pull over Posada on state Route 167.

Posada allegedly fled, first in his car and, after colliding with another vehicle, on foot, official court documents read.

Seaburg pursued him into an apartment complex and took Posada to the ground.

Posada continued to resist arrest and pulled a firearm from his waistband, which was when Seaburg pulled his own weapon and attempted to shoot Posada; however, his gun did not fire.

Seaburg then wrestled to get control of Posada’s gun, but the gun discharged and Posada claimed he was shot in the eye. (According to documents, Posada did suffer what appeared to be shrapnel damage to his eye and face.)

Seaburg then attempted to separate from Posada, but that’s when Posada reportedly shot Seaburg multiple times; first responders found him shortly after with nine entry/exit wounds in his leg and hand.

What’s not been reported — but was mentioned in the GoFundMe — was that Seaburg’s femoral artery was severed when he was shot, and a tourniquet had to be applied by emergency personnel to save his life.

Femoral artery injuries can result in death or limb loss; a patient can bleed out in minutes if immediate life-saving action is not taken, and penetrative injuries like what Seaburg suffered has a far higher death rate than other femoral artery-type injuries.

Despite his injuries, Seaburg advised officers which direction Posada fled, and he was arrested later after a K-9 unit was brought to the scene.

Seaburg was taken to the Harborview Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit in Seattle.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Kent Police arrest man for firing shots out of vehicle

Early Monday, Oct. 14 at apartment complex in 24600 block of 64th Avenue South

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District enrollment continues to decline

Number of students down 1,801 since 2019, including a drop of 282 so far this year

Courtesy Photo, King County
Man, 21, receives 25 years in prison for 2022 fatal Kent shooting

Dijion Ray Taylor-Johnson gets reduced sentence after pleading guilty to apartment shooting

(Courtesy of the Seattle Police Department)
Four teens arrested after multi-city crime spree in King County

The targets of the majority of these robberies were gas stations and late-night fast-food restaurants, according to court documents.

Donald Cook. COURTESY PHOTO
Ongoing Kent School Board drama flares up again among members

Board rescinds controversial resolution that singled out Donald Cook

t
Kent-based Project Feast hires new executive director

Liz Louie to lead nonprofit that empowers refugee and immigrant cooks

King County Sheriff’s Office new Bell 407GXi Helicopter. Photo courtesy of Angela Van Liew, King County Sheriff’s Office
King County Sheriff’s Office gets new helicopter

It was purchased with the support of King County taxpayers.

t
Kent Youth and Family Services hires new executive director

Trista Helvey takes over after more than a decade with YMCA of Greater Seattle

t
Kent City Council approves $11.2 million purchase of new office space

Buying north Kent building will open up Centennial Center for City Hall, police headquarters

File Photo
Kent Police arrest woman, 29, for stabbing, injuring 42-year-old man

Officers track down woman Oct. 7 four days after incident at man’s East Hill home

t
Kent Police Blotter: Sept. 24 to Oct. 6

Incidents include market arson, shots fired, cars on fire, tow truck driver attack, robberies