Tacoma prepares to honor fallen officer

By David Guest • December 7, 2016 5:40 pm
Credit: David Guest / TDIPeople line South Sprague Ave., Friday, Dec. 2, to pay their respects to Tacoma Police Officer Jake Gutierrez, who was shot to death on Dec. 1 while responding to a domestic violence call.
Credit: David Guest / TDI People line South Sprague Ave., Friday, Dec. 2, to pay their respects to Tacoma Police Officer Jake Gutierrez, who was shot to death on Dec. 1 while responding to a domestic violence call.

Public funeral for Officer Reginald ‘Jake’ Gutierrez at Tacoma Dome, Friday, 1 p.m.

The funeral procession to honor fallen Tacoma Police Officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez will take place Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m. from Joint Base Lewis-McChord along South Tacoma Way to the Tacoma Dome (2727 E. D St.). The memorial service will begin at 1 p.m at the Tacoma Dome. 

 

Tacoma Police Officer Reginald 'Jake' Gutierrez
Tacoma Police Officer Reginald ‘Jake’ Gutierrez

The Tacoma Police Department asks that, if you are required to drive through any of the affected areas, you seek an alternate route. Road closures and traffic congestion are expected throughout the day. Roads will be open along the procession route, prior to the procession start time. During the procession, the route will be closed to non-procession related traffic.

Businesses along the procession route should expect traffic congestion for several hours. The procession route is expected to be clear by 3 p.m.

The Washington State Department of Transportation will close three ramps to and from I-5 and SR 512 at approximately 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The affected ramps are Northbound and southbound I-5 to westbound SR 512 and Eastbound SR 512 to southbound I-5.

Drivers using westbound SR 512 will not be able to access South Tacoma Way. The northbound I-5 ramp to eastbound SR 512 and westbound SR 512 ramp to southbound I-5 will remain open. Drivers can expect added congestion on SR 512 during the ramp closures.

Near the Tacoma Dome, ramps to East 26th Street from northbound Interstate 705 and southbound I-5 will close from approximately 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The exits to City Center/northbound I-705 will remain open. Drivers can reach the Tacoma Dome by taking the northbound or southbound I-5 exit to Portland Avenue.

 Procession route

The procession will leave Joint Base Lewis-McChord, North Gate, north on South Tacoma Way Extension.

It will proceed (right turn) North on South Tacoma Way (The procession will stop at South Tacoma Way and Pine Street to allow the Tacoma Police Department family to join the procession.)

The procession will finish on (right turn) East D Street, Tacoma

 Parking at the Tacoma Dome

The memorial service is open to the public, however, all parking at the Tacoma Dome will be reserved for the vehicles of local and visiting first responders.

In addition, parking at the Tacoma Dome Station will likely already be full with weekly commuters.

To avoid the parking and traffic squeeze, memorial organizers are asking members of the public to park at Cheney Stadium (2502 S. Tyler St.) and ride a free Pierce Transit bus to and from the memorial service at the Tacoma Dome.

Buses will depart Cheney Stadium for the Tacoma Dome starting at 10:45 a.m. The last bus to the Tacoma Dome will depart promptly at 12:30 p.m..

Doors for the service will open at 11 a.m..

Return bus service from the Tacoma Dome to Cheney Stadium begins at 3:30 p.m. and will run until the area has cleared.

Flower deliveries for the memorial service will be accepted at the Tacoma Dome’s Security Gate No. 24, at the following times: Thursday, Dec. 8, 1-6 p.m.  and Friday, Dec. 9, 7-10:30 a.m.

Monetary donations can also be made at any Tacoma Police Department station or any Wells Fargo bank location. Checks should be made payable to the Tacoma Police Department – Officer Jake Gutierrez Memorial Fund.

– City of Tacoma