While a Vancouver police officer recovered in the intensive care unit after being shot, more than 150 community members gathered on the hospital lawn Tuesday at dusk to show him their support.
Many had never met Officer Dustin Goudschaal, but they wanted to let him know that he was in their thoughts and prayers; they lit candles and left flowers in front of the hospital. The motorcycle officer was rushed to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Monday morning after he was shot during a traffic stop in east Vancouver.
City councilor Anne McEnerny-Ogle organized Tuesday’s gathering and spread the word through social media. She said she wanted to send some positive energy to Goudschaal. As part of Neighbors On Watch, a volunteer group that works to deter crime, she felt it was the right thing to do.
“We can’t heal him, but we can support him,” she said.
Sam Robinson of Vancouver, interim chairman of the Chinook Indian Nation, sang a blessing at the gathering. He blessed Goudschaal, his family and friends, the healers at the hospital, and his fellow police officers.
“They are warriors just like our ancestors were,” he said. “My heart goes out to everybody.”
When Robinson saw police tape just blocks from his house in east Vancouver, his thoughts immediately went to the injured officer. He said he’s always appreciated what police officers do and eagerly took the opportunity to join the healing process.
Vancouver police Sgt. Steve Dobbs, who heads the agency’s Neighborhood Response Team for the city’s east side, came with his wife, daughter and a few other police officers on his team. A couple of off-duty detectives showed up as well, he said, and some went to visit Goudschaal in his hospital room inside the Firstenburg Tower. Dobbs said he hasn’t worked directly with Goudschaal, but they serve together on the executive board for the Vancouver Police Officer’s Guild. He described Goudschaal as down-to-earth and an all-around wonderful guy.
“He’s a funny guy, too,” Dobbs said. “It’s one of those senses of humor you don’t notice until you’re on the ground laughing.”
The Neighborhood Response Team wasn’t working on Monday when the shooting was reported. Dobbs said he was at Costco when he was flooded with texts to come in and bring his team. A handful of his officers were available to help out.
Although the hope at any police agency is that these kind of incidents won’t occur, they do, Dobbs said.
Goudschaal is married and has a dog, which is basically his child, Dobbs said. His wife, Kate Goudschaal, is the former director of community planning for the Humane Society of Southwest Washington.
Goudschaal was hired at the Vancouver Police Department in 2008 and joined the traffic unit less than a year ago. In 2011, Goudschaal received the department’s Meritorious Service Award.
When he spotted a 4-year-old boy wearing Spider-Man pajamas on the side of the street in near-freezing temperatures in November 2011, Goudschaal took the boy to a nearby convenience store and bought him chips and a hot cocoa until he could be reunited with his family. He frequents Police Activities League literacy events that give books to schoolchildren and teaches them about safety.
On Tuesday, Goudschaal was said to be in stable condition and in good spirits.
