When a horrific crime occurs and extreme efforts are made to conceal a homicide by hiding a victim’s body, these vile acts and barbaric behaviors threaten our community’s sense of safety and security. When the circumstances surrounding these events come to light, people begin to ask, “How can this happen?” These brutal acts of violence disrupt our lives and become our own local “acts of terrorism.”
When the disappearance of Mr. Robert Hood was reported on Dec. 21, it became apparent that things were not right, that this incident was slightly different from what we usually see in other missing person cases. Early on, it appeared that Mr. Hood’s life might be in jeopardy considering the limited information that was available to law enforcement at that time. As the search for him was initiated, the circumstances were unique, this was not a typical scenario as seen in most reports made for missing elderly persons. We hoped for the best and began our diligent search for him, knowing time is always a factor and is not usually in our favor.
As the search and rescue teams (SAR) began their work, the detectives also began theirs. While detectives and SAR teams have slightly different missions, they work together with the same goal in mind: to find the missing person. Where they differ is that the SAR members focus on locating the missing person and returning them safely to their families. Detectives want the same results, also, while looking for clues of foul play, until that can be ruled out. If either waits for the other, precious time is lost in finding the missing person and discovering what may have happened to them. In this case, as detectives worked to gather information about Mr. Hood and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, it became apparent that he was not lost. It soon became evident that his life was in danger as the evidence and information pointed toward him being a victim of a robbery and kidnapping.
Every available deputy and detective became involved in doing everything possible to find Mr. Hood and locate those person who were responsible for his disappearance. They were diligent and their attention to detail was focused with this goal in mind. KCSO detectives, deputies and officers from other agencies followed every bit of evidence and information to lead them to the location where Mr. Hood’s body was found in Mason County.
Finding Mr. Hood was a disappointing discovery, as everyone wanted to find him alive so he could be safely returned to his home. Sadly, this is not how this story ended. Mr. Hood will now become part of our community’s history and forever be a part of the lives of each law enforcement officer who was involved and touched by his death. All the participants arrested will also become part of this history – facts we wish were not so true. They have threatened our safety and impacted our sense of security.
As the last of the suspects are arrested and charged for their involvement in this murder, each will be held accountable for their actions. It is my expectation with their convictions and incarceration that we can find the hope necessary to begin to feel safe again where we work, play and live. We, as citizens of Kitsap County, cannot and will not let these horrific events rule our lives. And we cannot and will not live our lives in fear.
Rest assured that the men and women of the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office are committed and dedicated to doing everything possible to keep our communities safe and to bring those responsible for criminal acts to justice. They worked diligently and with tenacity every day following his reported disappearance, even sacrificing their days off and Christmas holiday events with family and friends to find Mr. Hood. For the next several years as the holidays approach, officers will vividly remember the Christmas they were investigating a homicide. Know what because of this dedication and commitment to serve, that the people who were involved in the disappearance and death of Mr. Hood were captured and will be brought to justice. In my view, these acts of true character demonstrate their commitment to a sworn oath of office to the citizens they serve every day.
It is our “Duty to Protect, and our Honor to Serve.” We will continue to do so for the citizens of Kitsap County.
— Sheriff Gary Simpson.
