Times have drastically changed since Nov. 29, the day four Lakewood Police officers were killed at a Parkland coffee shop, says Bothell Police Chief Forrest Conover.

“You can be a target just drinking a cup of coffee,” Conover said today. “It’s important for us to have a presence in the community. We can’t stay inside from the people we serve.”

Yesterday, a host of Bothell and Kenmore officers joined nearly 20,000 law officers, friends and family at the Tacoma Dome to pay their respects to Lakewood Police officers Greg Richards, Tina Griswold, Ronald Owens and Sgt. Mark Renninger. The service saw attendance from law officers hailing from across the nation, as well as from Canada.

Kenmore Chief Cliff Sether sent two of his officers to help guard the bodies at the funeral home before the service, and some of Conover’s officers served as honor guards and motorcycle escorts. Two Bothell police chaplains attended a memorial service at the Lakewood Police Department.

“It’s just a tragic loss,” Sether said. “Even though we didn’t know the people, it’s a loss to our police community. We all are just really saddened by it and are taken aback. Our hearts go out to the families.”

Conover noted that he “created a pretty strong bond” with his fellow officers at the Tacoma Dome. On hand were officers from Oakland, Calif., and other cities from across the country who recently lost co-workers in a similar situation as the Lakewood folks.

“Being with law-enforcement officers from all over the country, it’s one of the few things that can make a pretty horrific event a little bit better,” Conover said.

On Nov. 29, Conover said he met with his sergeants for several hours to discuss reducing the risk of officers being harmed. He noted that citizens should be aware of where their hands are — to keep them in full sight — when approaching officers and to understand that this is because of their heightened focus on safety.

“We’re just being more vigilant,” Sether added. “Making sure the officers don’t get too complacent about their officer safety, being more aware of their surroundings.”

Northshore residents have reached out to the local officers since Nov. 29, Conover said.

“There’s been a phenomenal level of support we’ve seen from the community in the form of letters and e-mails,” he said. “We’re very appreciative of everyone.”