Our Story
On October 13, 2011, a group of dedicated detectives gathered at the Blue Steele Coffee Shop in Parkland, a site marked by the tragic loss of four Lakewood PD officers in 2009. From this somber beginning, the Washington Homicide Investigators Association (WHIA) emerged as a beacon of hope and justice. Originally building on the foundation of the Violent Crime Investigators Association, WHIA has grown to encompass nearly 1,000 members from across the Great Northwest and beyond, including local, state, national, and federal levels.
WHIA's mission is clear: to provide essential training, investigative support, and networking opportunities for all involved in homicide investigations. The organization offers reasonably priced, high-quality training sessions and an Annual Conference that showcases cases from across North America, presented in a “lessons learned” format. With corporate sponsors displaying innovative products and services, WHIA ensures that its members are equipped with the latest tools to solve cases effectively.