Families, Organizations Urge Gov Ferguson to Create Office of Independent Prosecutor
A group of families impacted by police violence, organizations, and individuals sent a letter on Monday, September 28 to Washington’s Governor Ferguson urging him to include establishing an Office of Independent Prosecutor (OIP) as a line item in his 2027-2029 biennial budget.
He has supported this in the past and we urged him to continue to support it.
Families of those killed by police violence and Washingtonians want prosecutions that are impartial and free from potential conflicts of interest. An OIP would make charging decisions in cases involving police use of deadly force.
This is important because: independent review and prosecutions help ensure fairness for everyone involved; and public trust increases when investigations and prosecutions are conducted by neutral parties.
The letter:
From: See signatories
To:
Governor Bob Ferguson
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002
September 28, 2026
Dear Governor Ferguson,
We, the undersigned, urge you to include a line item calling for the establishment of an Office of Independent Prosecutor (OIP) in your proposed 2027-2029 biennial budget. We are family members of those killed by police violence, Washington organizations, and concerned individuals who seek your attention to this important matter.
We know of and appreciate your support of establishing an OIP when you were Washington state’s Attorney General, as well as your indication that you support an OIP to be established in the Governor’s office. Now, we ask you to take the next step by including it in your 2027-2029 budget.
Law enforcement and community leaders who served on Governor Inslee’s Task Force for Independent Investigations following the killing of Manuel Ellis unanimously called for both an Office of Independent Investigations and an Office of Independent Prosecutor. Earlier this year, a young African-American man was killed in a similar manner as Manuel Ellis. Leon Davis was killed by Federal Way police officers holding him in a prone position while handcuffed for nearly half an hour.
Establishing an OIP is an important step in the effort to bring justice when use of force by law enforcement results in death.
The Washington Coalition for Police Accountability requests an in-person meeting with you and your staff to discuss this important matter. Thank you.
Signatories:
Organizations
Washington Coalition for Police Accountability
A Philip Randolph institute Seattle chapter
The ACLU of Washington
Alliance for Gun Responsibility
Build for Belonging Action Fund
CAIR Washington
Citizen Nine26
The Conversation 253
Disability Rights Washington
Eastside For All
Faith Action Network
Greater Spokane Action
Indivisible Eastside
JEDIH Mindset
Latino Community Fund of Washington State
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
P4 (Persistent Proactive People for Progress)
Racial Justice and Police Misconduct Center
Riveters Collective
Seattle Community Police Commission
Spokane Community Against Racism (SCAR)
Unidos-Snohomish County
Washington Community Action Network
Impacted Families
Annalesa Thomas, Family of Leonard Thomas
Carrie Miles, Family of Derrick Clark
Cynthia Manycolors, Family of Bjorn Manycolors
Dawn A. Hegel, Family of Donald Hegel
Debbie Novak, Family of David Novak
Elaine Simons, Fostermother of Jesse Sarey
Fred Thomas, Family of Leonard Thomas
Jim Leighty, Friend of Craig Johnson
Marilyn Covarrubias, Family of Daniel Covarrubias
Nickeia Hunter, Family of Carlos Hunter
Shelly Washington, Family of Kevin Peterson Jr.
Sonia Joseph, Family of Giovonn Joseph McDade
Tonya Isabell, Family of Charleena Lyles
Ongulenna Johnson, Family of Leon A. Davis
Shannice L Johnson, Family of Leon A. Davis
Sara Berntgen, mother of Joshua Musselman
Individuals
Anne Hundley
Dalberta Faletogo
Danielle Jokela, Vancouver WA
Deborah Carstens
Deborah Jacobs
James Koroma
Jordan Landry
Joyce Brekke
Karla Ward, MPA
Kurtis Robinson
Michael P Dague
Rheta Rubenstein
Sheri Shuster
Tony Andrews
