Manhunt: Cop killer suspect may be getting help, police union angry, fund established (video)

November 30, 8:08 PMChicago Crime ExaminerDeborah O'Malley

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Lakewood Police flag at half-mast (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Police are patrolling freeways, bus terminals, train stations and ferry docks to thwart any attempts by an alleged cop killer to leave Washington state.

Despite an intense day and night of searching, authorities have not been able to locate Maurice Clemmons, 37.

Investigators say Clemmons shot and killed four Lakewood police officers in a coffee shop in Parkland yesterday morning. He himself was also shot and police say he suffered a serious abdomen wound. The Seattle Times reports authorities say Clemmons is getting help from friends and/or family because Clemmons could not have made it  so far, on his own,  given the nature of his injury.

Meanwhile, as the immensity of the loss to the Lakewood and law enforcement community sinks in, people are increasingly angry over what some say is lenient treatment of Clemmons' past criminal activities.

The Times reports Clemmons was released from jail a week ago after he posted $15,000 bond on a child rape charge. In addition to that charge, the Times reports Clemmons faced seven additional felony charges.

In 2000, Mike Huckabee, who was Governor of Arkansas at the time, granted clemency to Clemmons after he served about 10 years of a 95 year sentenced for aggravated armed robbery. Huckabee noted Clemmons was just 17 when he committed the robbery in 1989. Huckabee has a statement on his website which says both Arkansas and Washington state share responsibility for criminal justice failures if the charges against Clemmons are true.

Meanwhile, the president of the union representing Lakewood police could barely control his anger today when discussing Clemmons' violent past and lack of prison time. (See video clip from KING-TV below).

In other developments, a fund has been set up for the families of the slain officers. Between the four officers, they had a total of nine children.  Donations are being accepted through the Lakewood Police Independent Guild (click here).  There is also a Facebook Memorial page dedicated to the Lakewood officers (click here)