TheeBadOne
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Officer Watson
Forster arraigned for death of Kenai Police officer
An 18-year veteran of the Kenai Police Department was fatally shot while on duty Christmas night.
Patrol officer John Watson, 43, died as the result of gunshot wounds suffered at a residence on Watergate Way in Kenai's VIP subdivision, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Following a lengthy standoff with police, David Forster, 33, of Kenai was taken into custody in connection with the slaying.
Forster, a fishing guide, was arraigned in Kenai District Court Friday afternoon in front of Judge David Landry, on charges of first degree murder and first degree assault.
As he entered the courtroom, Forster appeared upbeat, grinning at both the large number of spectators in the gallery and Kenai Police Lt. Kim Wannamaker, who sat beside Prosecutor June Stein at the prosecution table. He came in chained to another defendant who was arraigned on an unrelated case.
During his approximately 30-minute arraignment, Forster repeatedly made unusual gestures, often peering at the ceiling through cupped hands. He winked at members of the press several times, alternately grinned and glared at Wannamaker, whistled and whispered to the defendant chained alongside him.
He was restrained by bailiffs at one point, and the other defendant ‹ who appeared noticeably uneasy sitting next to Forster ‹ was eventually unshackled from Forster and placed in a separate seating area.
He spoke several times during the proceedings, mostly to answer Judge Landry's routine yes and no questions.
However, when asked if he would like to be represented by counsel, he answered, "I want to use my pastor, because he's my witness."
"We're not talking about a witness, we're talking about someone who can represent you in a court of law," Landry answered.
At the request of Stein, Landry ordered Forster held on a $500,000 cash only bond, and he was remanded to the custody of the state.
An Alaska State Trooper press release gave this account of the Christmas night incident:
At approximately 7:41 p.m. Thursday, trooper dispatch in Soldotna contacted the Kenai Police Department for help conducting a welfare check.
Police were asked for assistance in locating a newer silver colored Ford Excursion being driven by Forster. A citizen had reported to troopers that Forster and a 21- year-old female had left her residence in a Ford Excursion, and that Forster appeared intoxicated and agitated.
Watson went to Forster's residence on Watergate Way to look for the vehicle. He reported the vehicle was not there and was leaving the area, when at 8:16 p.m., he reported that he had just seen a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle driving past him.
"He turned around and reported that he had stopped the vehicle in Forster's driveway. The female companion asked if she could take two dogs from the Excursion into the residence. Officer Watson allowed her to take the dogs into the house," troopers reported in the press release.
"A few minutes later Officer Watson radioed dispatch that he needed assistance. A Kenai Police Department sergeant and an Alaska State Trooper responded to the scene.
"It is believed that Forster continued to act aggressively toward the officer. While attempting to arrest Forster a struggle broke out. At some point during their struggle, Forster was able to obtain Officer Watson's service weapon, a GLOCK 21, 45-caliber semi-automatic handgun. It is believed that two shots were fired, one which struck Officer Watson in the head, killing him. Forster then walked into the residence where his female companion took the gun from him and put it in the bedroom," said the press release.
"Moments later, the KPD sergeant and trooper arrived. Upon their arrival, the sergeant radioed that Officer Watson was down with a possible gun shot wound to the head. He subsequently advised that officers were involved in a standoff with what was believed to be an armed subject inside the residence.
"Shortly after the standoff began, the 21-year-old female came to the door and ran from the residence, unharmed.
"Numerous attempts were made to have Forster surrender and finally, at approximately 1:07 a.m., Forster came out of the residence and surrendered without incident. He was arrested and transported to Wildwood Pretrial Facility," said the trooper press release.
Officer Watson leaves a wife and family.
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation and the State Crime Lab are investigating.
Gov. Frank Murkowski was ordering state flags to be flown at half-staff in Watson's memory.
Donations are being accepted by the Kenai Firefighters Association in advance of establishing a special account. For more information, call 283-7666.
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/122603/new_122603new001pm001.shtml
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