Officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez was shot and killed last week after he and his partner responded to an East Tacoma home.
TACOMA — Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez was remembered as a loving father and dedicated law-enforcement veteran during an emotional memorial service Friday for the slain Tacoma police officer.
One of his three daughters, Gabriella C. Cothran, tearfully described him as a “great man” who was her hero and a friend.
“He made my life complete. He made me feel like I was on top of the world,” she said, speaking of her devastating loss nine days after her father was fatally shot while responding to a domestic-disturbance call.
Gov. Jay Inslee presented a Washington state flag to Gutierrez’s family during the service, which drew thousands of uniformed law-enforcement officers from throughout the region.
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“He will always remain in our hearts. He will not be forgotten,” Tacoma Assistant Police Chief Michael Ake said.
Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland offered her condolences and spoke of the outpouring of support from around the nation for an officer who “loved going to work.”
His sister, Antoinette Gutierrez, told the audience her brother loved his family and job.
“He loved talking people down from the edge,” she said.
“Jake, you may be gone physically, but I promise your memory will live on,” she added.
Parked inside the Tacoma Dome was a black Infiniti G37, the officer’s beloved car. On a table next to the car, as part of the touching tribute, were his coffee cup and a pair of his favorite casual shoes.
Gutierrez’s fiancée, Rebecca Humphrey, said the two were days from going to the courthouse to get married. Calling him a “kind soul with a huge heart,” she said she would “miss his kiss good night.”
His work partner, Erika Haberzettl, who was with him when he was killed and served Friday as a pallbearer, said Gutierrez was the most selfless man she knew.
In closing remarks, Tacoma Police Chief Donald Ramsdell said, “Jake will be remembered as a hero. And he will never be forgotten for his ultimate sacrifice.”
Ramsdell recalled that as a rookie officer, Gutierrez drove through a red light while with a training officer. The training officer reminded Gutierrez that traffic safety was considered important in Tacoma — and to his field-training officer.
Gutierrez developed into a decorated officer, with a special ability to deal with people in crisis, Ramsdell said.
Once, while dealing with a woman threatening to jump off a bridge, he offered that he knew how she felt and that, when he felt the same, he bought himself a quarter-pounder and fries, the chief said.
When the woman opted not to jump, Gutierrez bought her a quarter-pounder and fries, Ramsdell said.
Gutierrez, 45, was killed after he and his partner responded to an East Tacoma home on the afternoon of Nov. 30.
Gutierrez entered the home and began walking up a staircase to talk with a man who lived there when the man suddenly opened fire. Despite being hit by gunfire, Gutierrez managed to yell “Get out! Get out!” to his partner and the woman who lived in the home.
The man who fatally shot Gutierrez, Bruce Randall Johnson II, was killed early the following day after an 11-hour standoff with police.
Along with his three daughters, Gutierrez’s survivors include a granddaughter. The 17-year veteran was the first Tacoma officer to die from gunfire since 1997.
The service was preceded by a procession that left Joint Base Lewis-McChord around 11 a.m. and wound through part of the city as hundreds lined the route to pay their respects to Gutierrez. At the end of the procession, Gutierrez’s flag-draped coffin was brought into the Tacoma Dome.
In a silent moment, the U.S. flag atop the coffin was folded and presented to the officer’s family.
After the playing of taps, amid a wave of salutes, the coffin was escorted from the building.