Snoqualmie Casino, along with 99.9 KISW-FM, raised over $70,000 at the KISW Salutes the Shield benefit concert and auction held in support of the Lakewood Police Independent Guild.

More than 900 people attended the benefit on Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Snoqualmie Casino Ballroom. The event was a response to the deaths of Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold, and Greg Richards, the four Lakewood police officers who were killed in an ambush Nov. 29. The evening also paid tribute to slain Seattle police officer Timothy Brenton.

Through ticket sales and proceeds from the auction, the sold out benefit raised over $70,000 for the Lakewood Police Independent Guild Charitable Fund. All of the money from Saturday’s benefit is earmarked for the children of the fallen officers.

“The positive response and selfless support from the KISW audience and partners has been nothing short of incredible,” said Dave Richards, KISW station manager. “This past Saturday was a magical night that we’ll remember for a long time.”

Brian Wurts, president of the LPIG, and also Lakewood police department Chief Bret Farrar spoke and expressed thanks to the standing room only crowd while over a dozen members of the Lakewood police department joined them on stage. Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer was present as were numerous police officers from throughout the state.

Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready kicked off the evening with his rendition of the National Anthem. The Seattle-based prog rock group Queensryche played a special acoustic performance and hard rock icon Duff McKagan’s band, Loaded, played a full set. The concert culminated with Geoff Tate of Queensryche joining Duff McKagan and Loaded on stage for a raucous finale to the emotion-filled evening.