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Police Release Surveillance Video Of Clallam Gunman

Posted: 9:10 am PDT September 23, 2008Updated: 5:48 pm PDT September 23, 2008

Investigators have released surveillance video of the man police said killed a Forest Service officer and a retired corrections officer taken just before he was shot to death by sheriff's deputies over the weekend.

The video released tells several stories including how people in the community paid attention, worked together and listened to police when they warned everyone to be on the lookout.

Video taken by convenience store cameras shows Shawn Roe inside the store just before he was killed in a shootout with Clallam County deputies. In the video, he can be seen entering the store, walking by a clerk and walking to the back to get something.

Moments later, a security guard from the Seven Cedars Casino enters the store and can be seen talking to the clerk. Investigators said they were talking about the man on the flier entering the store.

Customers and other employees inside the store were warned and remained calm.

Then, video shows Roe walking up to the counter to make a purchase. At this time, the security guard called 911 and alerted authorities. Deputies were blocks away, investigators said.

Roe completes his purchase and as he walks out of the building he sees the wanted poster for himself on the counter. He stepped outside to find deputies waiting for him.

"That flier was placed there because of the heavy police presence in the area. There were other officers in the area before Roe came in," said Washington State Patrol Investigator Brian George.

An outside camera shows him exiting the store as deputies approach. The deputies demand Roe to put his hands up, but he reaches for a weapon and fires one shot, investigators said.

Video shows the two officers returning fire. Roe then hits the ground after he is shot. Deputies are seen kicking a gun away.

"From the time that the security guard called, until the suspect was engaged by the deputies it was over two minutes, so I think it speaks well of the deputies of their training, and their bravery," said Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict.

"On his person at the time he was killed, (Roe) had two 9 mm handguns and a .22-caliber handgun," said Capt. Steve Sutton.

Also Tuesday, details were released about Monday's funeral for Kristine Fairbanks. A memorial service with full police honors is scheduled at Civic Field in Port Angeles at 1:00 pm. The public is invited to attend.

Roe shot the 51-year-old U.S. Forest Service Officer after she pulled over the van he was driving near the Dungeness Forks Campground in the Olympic National Forest. Police said Roe then ditched his van and walked to the trailer of his next victim, whom Roe also shot and killed.

Forest Service Officer Kristine Fairbanks

The second victim was 59-year-old Richard Ziegler, a retired California Corrections officer who was living in a fifth-wheel trailer while building a retirement home in the Sequim area.

Sequim Shooting Victim Was In Retirement

Investigators said Roe then took Ziegler's truck to the convenience store.

Roe's friends described him as a physically imposing man with a temper, but they told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News they were stunned to learn he had killed two people.

"It's shocking. I would never picture him doing it," said Mike Cline, who became friends with Roe 10 years ago.

Cline said Roe blew up when he had problems with tools, but that he never saw him hurt anyone.

Two years ago, Roe's ex-wife, Mary C. White, took out a domestic violence protection order against him.

White said she resigned from her teaching job at Nisqually Middle School after a colleague told police she was carrying a gun in her purse to protect herself from Roe.

Through a lawyer Monday, White and her daughter released a statement that said Roe had terrified them with acts of domestic violence for the last two years.

The statement said the following:

"Our hearts break for the 15-year-old girl who lost her mother, and to her father who lost his wife, to such a violent and sick man. We are praying for the Fairbanks' and Ziegler families.

"I continue to be concerned with the laws in the State of Washington related to acts of domestic violence. Domestic violence was only the beginning for Shawn. Domestic violence does affect the entire community; innocent mothers, fathers, wives, husbands and children.

"I understand too well that my daughter and I have survived, and others have not. It was not for lack of warning or desperate effort. But for what I was unable to accomplish, I will be saddened for the rest of my life. Many people did not believe the truth about Shawn Roe. It was easier to say that I was crazy, overreacting or just plain female." Read Complete Statement From Mary White

Retired California corrections officer Richard Ziegler.

Roe had just spent time in jail in Mason County for violating the terms of his probation and was released on Aug. 10. He had a record that included unlawful imprisonment and malicious mischief and he was wanted on a warrant by the Department of Corrections for failing to meet with his probation officer.