Fallen Bothell officer’s brother describes him as that one ‘go-to guy’

BOTHELL, Wash. — A memorial continued to grow Wednesday night for fallen Bothell Officer Jonathan Shoop, who was killed in the line of duty Monday night. He was shot during a traffic stop with his partner just feet away.

People dropped off flowers and handwritten signs for Shoop, who had hoped to accomplish so much.

KIRO 7 got a chance to speak with his brother, who described him as a “go-to guy” all the time for everybody.

“I’m so proud of him as a big brother. And I’m so glad I got to tell him so,” Evan Shoop said.

On Sunday, Evan Shoop met his younger brother for dinner, not knowing it would be the last meal they’d ever have together.

“My young brother always did things the right way, and he put his heart into it. I don’t imagine policing was any different,” Evan Shoop said. “Always present, when there’s a job to be done, all of a sudden there’s an extra pair of hands. Never missed a dinner at mom’s on Sunday.”

Jonathan Shoop was a guy who literally traveled the country to help others as he served in the Coast Guard for six years.

KIRO 7 was shown a picture of him on the Deepwater Horizon, which is where he and others were sent to contain the largest oil spill in American history.

Evan Shoop said that sense of service never left his brother, including when Jonathan Shoop worked at Amazon.

After four years of corporate work, Jonathan Shoop decided to switch things up and traded a seat behind a desk for a career in law enforcement.

“He wanted a change. He wanted to do it while he still could, and he did. We were just so proud of him,” Evan Shoop said.

Thirteen months on the job brought plenty of new challenges. After all, Jonathan Shoop was the new guy in a new career.

“Our conversations, he wasn’t there yet. He wasn’t comfortable, but he was loving the department, the people he worked with. He felt like he knew everybody,” said Evan Shoop.

Now, a community is remembering Johnathan Shoop, the “go-to guy” who gave his life.

“I’m not surprised others see qualities in him. Not at all. That’s who he was.”

His family, co-workers, law enforcement and even people from across western Washington continued to turn up, showing support at the grassroots memorial for Shoop.

The man suspected of killing Shoop, Henry Eugene Washington, 37, didn’t show up to face a judge on Wednesday.

According to court documents, Shoop and his partner stopped Washington because Washington didn’t have a license plate.

Washington took off and hit a pedestrian on a scooter. And when police caught up with him, he yelled, “Come on, pig,” as he raised a gun and fired into the police cruiser, court documents state.

According to court documents, Washington allegedly called police in Junction City, Kansas, 1,800 miles away and allegedly told dispatchers he’d just killed a police officer.

Police said they found Washington on the roof of a business about 1,000 feet from where the shooting happened after he became stuck between two buildings.

In an interview with detectives, Washington later described his actions as “self-defense … against law enforcement taking his vehicle, marijuana and firearm.”

His mother posted on Facebook that she was “In shock” that her “son killed a police officer and wounded another.”

Washington faces charges of murder, assault and attempting to elude police and could be charged Friday. He is being held without bail.

As for Shoop’s family, they are grateful for the outpouring of support but said it’s too soon for them to visit the memorial.

Cox Media Group