Thousands attend memorial service for fallen WSP Trooper Christopher Gadd

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. — Thousands of people from both law enforcement and the public gathered Tuesday to honor fallen Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Christopher Gadd in a public memorial service that followed a procession in Snohomish County.

The procession began at the Tulalip Resort Casino in Marysville and ended at the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett with a two-hour, emotional public memorial service. Most people who lined the procession route along Hewitt Avenue in Everett never met the fallen trooper, but a number of people KOMO News spoke to said they are linked to public safety officers.

Gadd was killed while working DUI patrol on I-5 in Marysville on March 2 after a driver suspected of being impaired slammed into the back of his patrol vehicle, killing the 27-year-old trooper. Gadd, who began with the WSP on Sept. 16, 2021, is survived by his wife Cammryn and 2-year-old daughter Kaelyn, as well as his father David Gadd, a WSP trooper, his mother Gillian, and his sister Jacqueline, a state trooper in Texas.

The WSP said Gadd is the 33rd member of the agency to die in the line of duty in its 103 years of service.

“We will never forget Chris, or the other 32 members who have died serving this state,” said WSP Captain Ron Mead.

PHOTOS | Procession and public memorial honors WSP Trooper Christopher Gadd

Several speakers talked about Gadd before the memorial concluded with an "end of watch" call from the dispatcher.

"No answer, 927," the dispatcher said, referring to Gadd's badge number. "Trooper Christopher Gadd, end of watch, March 2, 2024. May you rest in peace. We have the watch from here.”

Among the speakers Tuesday were WSP Chief John Batiste, Corporal Alexis Robinson and Captain Ron Mead.

"We are working through what is undoubtedly the most difficult of times for our family as we mourn the loss of a loving husband, devoted father, caring brother, beloved son, and committed friend," Gadd's family said in a statement released March 5. "We appreciate the outpouring of support we have seen from the community that Chris loved and served. We ask the media to respect our family’s privacy during this painful time."

Since Gadd’s death, hundreds of people have flocked to the memorial outside WSP district headquarters in Marysville, dropping off flowers and paying their respects.

They’re not just people on the side of the road doing a job,” said Julie Taylor, who visited the memorial Monday. “They have families that love them, and they have parents — moms and dads, brothers and sisters — just like we do, and now someone’s gone, never to come back. All we can do is love.

“The loss is felt throughout our whole community, and there’s one less officer out there to protect us and to serve,” Taylor added.

RELATED | Driver accused of killing WSP trooper in I-5 crash is Mexican citizen 'unlawfully' in US

Nicholas Holly, Gadd's friend from high school, also went to the memorial site Monday.

“The most motivating individual I’ve ever known,” Holly said. “I kind of followed him in everything that he did. He ironically inspired me to become a firefighter.”

A 32-year-old man with a Lynnwood address was arrested in connection to the fatal collision, which occurred shortly before 3 a.m. He's being held on charges related to vehicular homicide.

The suspect, who admitted to smoking weed and drinking two beers earlier that night, is a Mexican citizen living in the United States "unlawfully," according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

KOMO News is not naming the man because he has not been formally charged for the trooper's death.

For information on how to support Gadd's family, visit the WSP Memorial Foundation.