Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

WA Officers Unhurt After Piece of Railroad Tie Smashes Windshield

“Imagine driving along in the early morning hours and suddenly your windshield explodes in front of you and glass sprays everywhere. That is what two of our officers faced early Saturday morning."

September 20, 2022
WA Officers Unhurt After Piece of Railroad Tie Smashes Windshield

The large piece of railroad tie shattered the windshield and left the inside of the patrol SUV covered in broken glass.

Credit:

PHOTO: Bellingham Police Department

2 min to read


Two police officers were unharmed In Bellingham, WA, over the weekend after a man threw a 25-pound piece of wood into the windshield of their vehicle.

Credit:

PHOTO: Bellingham Police Department

Two police officers in Bellingham, WA, narrowly missed being injured over the weekend when a man threw a 25-pound piece of railroad tie into the windshield of their patrol vehicle. Police say when he threw the chunk of wood, he did not know that his intended target was a police car.

“Imagine driving along in the early morning hours and suddenly your windshield explodes in front of you and glass sprays everywhere. That is what two of our officers faced early Saturday morning,” states the Bellingham Police Department in a social media post. “We are so grateful our officers were not seriously injured during the reckless and dangerous actions of the suspect.”

Ad Loading...

The officers were patrolling around 4:30 a.m. Saturday when they saw a man hunched over just past a blind corner. As the car passed, the man hurled the piece of wood into an arc directly aimed at their windshield.

The officers called for assistance, turned on the emergency lights while fishing through the glass shards, and turned the car around. They contacted the suspect, who stopped for them, but then refused all other commands.  When other officers arrived, he still would not cooperate. They devised a plan to approach and physically take him into custody safely. He was arrested and booked into jail without incident.

Police report “The officers spent a considerable amount of time getting glass shards out of every pocket and crevasse of their uniforms, off their skin, and out of their hair and mouths.”

According to police, the same man has been contacted by police 26 times this year and arrested 15 times, including the arrest related to this incident. He also had eight warrants for his arrest.

Police say the piece of a railroad tied used in the attack on the vehicle weighed 25 pounds.

Credit:

PHOTO: Bellingham Police Department

More Patrol

Black small medical bag with supplies and a tourniquet at right on a wood table and a large headline at left What Should Be In Your IFAK?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamMay 1, 2026

What Should Be in Your IFAK?

What should every officer include in an IFAK? Sydney Vail, M.D., a veteran trauma surgeon and former SWAT surgeon, explains which components are needed and which are not, and stresses training.

Read More →
flashlight turn un and submerged in puddle with rain falling.
PatrolApril 30, 2026

Olight Releases 2 New Baton Variants & the ArkPro Ultra Onyx Black

Olight has added two new lights to the Baton Series, the Baton 4 and the Baton Ultra. One new Baton features up to 1,600 lumens on turbo, and the other 1,800.

Read More →
Black tactical helmet with bright explosion behind it to the left, Team Wendy logo top right, and headline Recon Tactical Bump Helmet
PatrolApril 30, 2026

Team Wendy Reveals New RECON Tactical Bump Helmet

Team Wendy’s new RECON Tactical bump helmet is configurable by color, retention, and accessories for rescue, tactical, and military mission needs. It features Zorbium foam pads, shell vents, and lattice cooling pads that balance impact absorption, airflow, and long-wear support.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Black military style leather boot against a blue cobblestone background with a white Garmont Tactical logo.
PatrolApril 30, 2026

Garmont Tactical Introduces the T8 Specter LE Zip for LE Professionals

Garmont Tactical has a new 8-inch duty boot with a side zipper, the T8 Specter LE Zip. The boot is available now and features ankle support in a standard duty profile with polishable leather.

Read More →
Streamlight searchlight and a scene light on a tripod set against a darkened street scene and Streamlight logo across the top.
PatrolApril 30, 2026

Streamlight Launches LiteBox 1Million & Portable Scene Light III

Streamlight has launched the Portable Scene Light III (PSL III), which delivers up to 10,000 lumens, and the LiteBox 1Million, a one-million-candela long-range search light.

Read More →
Two camo magazine puches against a blue tinted police background and a logo for Tasmanian Tiger.
PatrolApril 22, 2026

Tasmanian Tiger Introduces the TT SGL Mag Pouch Clamp M4

Tasmanian Tiger has launched the TT SGL Mag Pouch Clamp M4, an open magazine pouch engineered for M4/AR-15 platforms that integrates a plastic clamping device for secure retention and fast magazine deployment.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Police officer in a darkened hallway holding a flashlight and headline 5 Things to Know When Buying Patrol Lights, and POLICE logo.
PatrolApril 16, 2026

5 Things to Know When Buying Patrol Lights

Whether it’s time to buy a personal patrol light or make the decision for the next department-issued patrol light, what do you need to know? How do you weigh the different variables and make the best choice?

Read More →
Group of men and women seated in a circle around a room as one woman stands and leads discussion.
PatrolApril 9, 2026

Warriors Heart’s Mission to Serve America’s Veterans and First Responders

Warriors Heart works closely with federal and community partners to expand treatment options for veterans and first responders. By combining specialized clinical care with a peer-driven recovery environment, the program helps warriors rebuild strength, restore relationships, and rediscover purpose.

Read More →
Black background with police card lights and logo for POLICE, with headline in yellow: How are LE Boots Different for Women
Patrolby Wayne ParhamApril 9, 2026

How are LE Boots Different for Women?

Boots fit differently for men and women, so how are law enforcement boots for women designed differently from those worn by men? In this video, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, shares all the details.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Man standing in desert talking on radio.
PatrolApril 9, 2026

Motorola Solutions Extends Resilient, Mission-Critical Communications and AI with T-Satellite from T-Mobile

A collaboration between Motorola Solutions and T-Mobile helps deliver uninterrupted situational awareness and access to AI wherever the mission leads, enabled by satellite connectivity for Motorola Solutions' APX NEXT smart radios.

Read More →