He spent 4 decades making the Tri-Cities safer. Now police mourn his death

A police employee died after spending more than four decades making Kennewick a safer place.

Mike Blatman, a veteran crime prevention specialist died Tuesday, weeks before he planned to retire, Kennewick police said.

For years, Blatman, 65, often served as the face of the department, answering questions from the media and heading up the Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers program. He died after a long-term illness.

The Eastern Washington University graduate worked at several radio stations and advertising companies before becoming a reserve police officer in 1977.

Chief Robert Farnkoff hired him a year later to help community members and businesses find ways to prevent crime.

Blatman was a certified protection professional with the American Society of Industrial Security.

Since becoming the department’s crime prevention specialist, Blatman was instrumental in bringing a series of different programs to Kennewick, including Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers, National Night Out and other crime prevention programs.

Blatman was always looking for new ways to make the community safer, said Police Chief Ken Hohenberg.

“When people talk about community policing, we were doing that in the ‘80s and ‘90s,” he said. “Mike was always trying to come up with innovative projects.”

Most recently, Blatman was the contact person for a new animal abuse hotline, and led efforts to stop porch pirates by offering rewards.

He brought his training to local businesses to help them reduce thefts and improve employee safety and developed a shoplifting prevention program. He also was the liaison to the Tri-City Financial Security Officer’s Association, the American Society for Industrial Security Loss Prevention Association and the Kennewick Focus Program.

He even convinced Hohenberg to play a criminal in a demonstration meant to help people understand how to see details during a robbery.

“Mike was the 2007 Kennewick Police Employee of the Year recipient and received several Chief’s Awards and countless letters for the work he performed to reduce crime,” a Kennewick police post on Facebook.

Blatman’s efforts with Crime Stoppers also did not go unnoticed. He was appointed to the Crime Stoppers USA board of directors and earned a lifetime achievement award from the Washington State Crime Stoppers Association in 2017.

A lifetime in Tri-Cities

Hohenberg remembers Blatman before either of them worked for Kennewick.

At the time, Hohenberg was a dispatcher for the Richland Police Department, and Blatman would call from the radio station to find out what had happened the night before.

“Mike was well-respected in the crime prevention community,” Hohenberg said. “He just loved the community. We had a lot of conversations about family, and friends. .... He was a great guy with a big heart.”

After a 41-year career, Blatman intended to retire in February. He planned to travel with his wife, Melanie, and spend time with family. He also intended to help with fundraising for area nonprofit organizations.

Even though he was on the verge of retirement, he always enjoyed coming to work and was passionate about what he did, said the chief. When he became ill, he still continued working.

“At the end of the day, he made a huge difference in the community. ... He was loved in the department and people have had nothing but praise for his kindness and compassion,” said Hohenberg.

This story was originally published January 29, 2020 at 12:50 PM.