Editor’s note: The Courier-Herald is seeking Enumclaw locals that know Trooper Raymond Seaburg for a collection of stories about his ties to town. Please email raymond.still@courierherald.com to submit your stories or for more information.

Many in south King County know that Trooper Raymond Seaburg was shot in Kent earlier this month 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 Washington State Patrol office here for a number of years.

While the incident, which involved eight-time felony 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 local 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 has been created to support Seaburg and his family, which includes a daughter and two twins.

As of Wednesday, Feb. 28, more than 1,000 donations raised about $118,000 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 GoFundMe, head to gofundme.com/f/help-support-trooper-seaburg-family.

A BRUSH WITH DEATH

Trooper Seaburg, a 21-year veteran with the WSP, 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 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 Posdada, but that’s when Posada 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 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 K9 was brought to the scene.

Seaburg was taken to the Harborview Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit; his condition at this time is unclear.