Huge memorial service on Tuesday for slain corrections officer

  • Monday, February 7, 2011 11:44am
  • News

EVERETT — Thousands of law enforcement officers and members of the public are expected to attend the memorial service for Washington State Reformatory Corrections Officer Jayme Biendl who was killed Jan. 29 in the chapel of the prison at Monroe.

The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Comcast Arena in Everett.

A moment of silence was observed at Washington prisons, including the Clallam Bay Corrections Center, on Sunday, which would have been Biendl’s 35th birthday.

An inmate is suspected of strangling Biendl — 52-year-old Byron Scherf, a three-strikes offender serving a life term for rape convictions.

In Biendl’s memory, Gregoire ordered flags on all state buildings be lowered to half-staff Tuesday.

“Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join in this recognition,” the governor’s office said.

The memorial planning team and Teamsters Local 117, which represents corrections workers, have established accounts to help pay for the memorial service.

Donations can be made in her memory at any Union Bank, formerly known as Frontier Bank.

Donations also may be made at any Bank of America branch.

They also can be sent to the Jayme Biendl Benevolent Fund, 14675 Interurban Ave. S., Suite 307, Tukwila, WA 98168.

Flowers in Biendl’s honor can be sent to Comcast Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave., in Everett, today from noon to 5 p.m. or Tuesday until

10 a.m.

The state Department of Corrections is changing some of its procedures in response to her killing to increase the safety of corrections officers.

Gov. Chris Gregoire has ordered an independent review of what happened at Monroe.

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