Originally published in the King County Sheriff’s Office Newsletter, July 13, 2023

The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) collaborated with an impressive lineup of agencies and organizations to ensure a safe and secure environment throughout the thrilling five-day All-Star Week events. This lineup included the Seattle Police Department, Seattle Fire Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, Amtrak Police, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Police, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Air Force.

These events provided multiple days of excitement for fans, featuring Play Ball Park, concerts, and various other free activities. The pinnacle of the week was reached with the highly anticipated Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game. Thanks to the collective efforts of all involved, this event surpassed expectations, leaving a lasting mark on everyone who attended.

We’d like to take a moment to recognize several of our specialized units within KCSO who played pivotal roles and contributed significantly to the success of this endeavor. View kudos and photos below.

Metro and Sound Transit

Our two transit partners collaborated seamlessly, employing a range of specialized teams, including JTATT (Joint Transit Anti-Terrorism Team), patrol, K9, and detectives, to ensure the secure and efficient transportation of thousands of individuals to and from the venue each day.

The transit system operated with remarkable smoothness and safety throughout the entire event. Deputies and Detectives expertly carried out their duties, alternating between plain clothes and uniformed assignments. The prominent presence of law enforcement personnel significantly enhanced the overall experience, contributing to an exceptional and memorable occasion.

ARFF

The King County International Airport’s Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) unit faced the challenge of managing a significant surge in VIP flights arriving at King County International Airport. Not only did they handle Major League Baseball (MLB) flights, but they also had to handle a substantial influx of private jets associated with the All-Star game. Furthermore, ARFF had the crucial responsibility of safeguarding three Air Force F-35 fighter jets utilized in the captivating opening flyover for the grand event.

Bomb Disposal unit

BDU provided extensive support during the events, conducting thorough sweeps, and ensuring the safety of the City of Seattle by responding to bomb calls throughout the event period. The team conducted numerous sweeps, both for vehicles and events, amounting to well over a hundred. The invaluable assistance from KCSO BDU prevented the other BDU teams from being overwhelmed by the demanding workload.

KSO TAC 30

TAC 30 (SWAT) seamlessly assumed responsibility for TAC calls within the City of Seattle, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Additionally, they maintained a vigilant quick reaction force on standby, poised to respond promptly to any incidents within the transit system that required their immediate attention.

Marine unit

The Marine unit strategically positioned themselves near the Coast Guard Station on the western side of T-Mobile Park. Their invaluable contribution involved effectively neutralizing any waterborne drone threats, while also extending crucial marine support to the surrounding area.

Air Support unit

Air Support played a pivotal role by utilizing the downlink – the camera on Guardian 1 that people can log in to watch live footage – to enhance situational awareness during the substantial influx of crowds traversing to and from the events. The downlink provided indispensable as it was employed across all command posts and stadiums.

T-Mobile and Lumen Field off-duty deputies

These two locations were staffed with Deputies with extensive experience working in these venues. These highly skilled Deputies and Sergeants exhibit exemplary performance in a high-visibility environment, adeptly managing crowds with great proficiency. Their expertise lies in skillfully de-escalating situations involving intoxicated or confrontational individuals, showcasing their abilities in conflict resolution.

Communications Center

The KCSO’s amazing Communications Center team provided invaluable assistance and support during All-Star week. They seamlessly managed the increased dispatch coverage, ensuring smooth operations during the heightened activity, and provided a dedicated dispatcher for the events whenever feasible. Their efforts were instrumental in the week’s success.

Planning and critical incident preparation response

Dani Hamilton, Sergeant Pete Copeland, and Deputies Dave Mendez, Hiram Grijalva, and Sean Pierce made exceptional contributions as they staffed the Unified Command Center and meticulously orchestrated the KCSO event with utmost expertise and dedication.

Command

Captains Koby Hamill, Todd Miller, Scott Dery, Jonathan Youngblood, Greg Thomas, and Majors Marcus Williams and Todd Morrell demonstrated their unwavering support by assuming various responsibilities throughout the planning and execution of the All-Star events.

Kudos to the King County Sheriff’s Office for putting on a world-class event and supporting the King County community. This was a great team effort, and it wouldn’t have been successful without the different units within KCSO!