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Lawyer: Accused Trooper Who Protected Governors Is Innocent

Washington State Patrol
Washington State Trooper Daniel Tindall.

He was willing to take a bullet for three governors. Now, a decorated Washington State Patrol trooper is accused of tampering with evidence to protect his teenage son.

Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee called the case “disappointing and sad.” The trooper’s lawyer says her client is innocent.

Trooper Daniel Tindall and his wife are accused of trying to destroy or hide evidence that would implicate their son in a series of acts of vandalism and attempted arson. The charges are gross misdemeanors.

Trooper Tindall's is a familiar face in the state Capitol. He spent 12 years assigned to a special detail protecting governors Inslee, Chris Gregoire and Gary Locke.

The Washington State Patrol says Tindall was removed from that assignment in January for performance reasons unrelated to this case.

Asked to describe Tindall, Inslee had this to say: "Professional and nice person.”

Tindall's attorney, Sunni Ko, said her client “served three governors and … has always upheld the law.”

She went on to say her client “will prevail at trial.”

Tindall is on paid leave from the state patrol.

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."