A brazen criminal assault on a Washington State Patrol lieutenant on Christmas Day exposes the dangerous reality facing law enforcement officers who risk their lives protecting the public from lawless individuals.
Story Highlights
- WSP lieutenant assaulted and patrol cruiser stolen on I-5 during Christmas Day response
- Alexander Eugene Smith arrested after 20-minute high-speed pursuit across county lines
- Multiple felony charges filed including assault on officer, robbery, and DUI
- Incident occurred days after another WSP trooper killed on Tacoma highway
Christmas Day Attack Shocks Law Enforcement
Alexander Eugene Smith transformed a routine traffic safety response into a violent assault against law enforcement on December 25, 2025. The suspect was reported running across all lanes of Interstate 5 near Northgate in Seattle, creating a major hazard for holiday travelers. When a WSP lieutenant arrived to address the dangerous situation, Smith suddenly shoved her to the ground and jumped into her marked patrol cruiser, fleeing northbound with emergency lights activated.
The brazen attack demonstrates the unpredictable dangers officers face when responding to seemingly routine calls. WSP spokespersons noted that such incidents often involve people in distress, highlighting how mental health crises and substance impairment create volatile situations for first responders attempting to protect public safety.
Multi-Agency Pursuit Ends Near Lynnwood
Smith’s theft of the fully equipped patrol vehicle triggered an immediate multi-agency response involving WSP, Seattle Police, and Snohomish County authorities. The suspect drove north into Snohomish County before turning around and heading southbound on I-5, creating additional risks as he operated emergency equipment on a major interstate during holiday traffic. The dangerous pursuit lasted approximately 20 minutes across multiple jurisdictions.
Troopers successfully performed a high-speed PIT maneuver and boxed in the stolen cruiser near Lynnwood, ending the threat to public safety. Smith resisted arrest, requiring officers to deploy a Taser before taking him into custody. Several vehicles sustained damage during the containment operation, though no serious civilian injuries occurred despite the significant risk posed by the stolen emergency vehicle.
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Serious Felony Charges Filed Against Suspect
Smith was booked into King County jail facing multiple serious felony charges including robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, assault on a law enforcement officer, felony eluding, and DUI. WSP obtained a court-authorized blood draw warrant due to suspected impairment, with toxicology results pending at the time of initial reports. The lieutenant sustained minor injuries but was expected to return home to her family that evening.
This incident occurred just days after another WSP trooper was killed on a Tacoma highway, creating heightened anxiety within the department about officer safety during roadway encounters. Trooper Rick Johnson noted the cumulative impact on department morale following these back-to-back traumatic events affecting WSP personnel and their families.
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WATCH: Video shows suspect push trooper to ground before stealing patrol cruiser on Christmas Day
