MARYSVILLE, Wash. — For hours on Sunday, a steady stream of people made their way to the memorial for Washington State Patrol trooper Christopher M. Gadd.
A picture of the 27-year-old trooper is surrounded by flowers, cards, and patches from other law enforcement agencies outside the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Post in Marysville.
Michael Clever was one of many people who showed up Sunday to honor Gadd, who was hit and killed by a motorist on southbound Interstate 5 near 136th Street North in Marysville. The deadly collision happened just before 3 a.m. Saturday morning.
"It's a tragedy when anybody dies, but especially when somebody dies in service to other people," Clever said. "It makes me feel good that other people feel the same way as I do. They, law enforcement, need our respect."
The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office arrested a 32-year-old Lynnwood man. He was booked in the Snohomish County Jail for vehicular homicide.
According to the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, the suspect vehicle was speeding along I-5 South, veered off the roadway and struck the rear end of the trooper’s vehicle that was parked on the right shoulder.
The suspect was taken to Providence Regional Medical Center for an evaluation following the collision. A blood search warrant was done on the suspect, but the results have not been released.
"I just have a huge respect for law enforcement," said Ernest McBride, another community member who came to honor Gadd. "Every day, they walk out of their door, they're putting their life on the line for the public."
Gadd leaves behind a wife, Cammryn, a 2-year-old daughter, Kaelyn, his father, WSP Trooper David Gadd, his mother, Gillian, and his sister, Jacqueline, a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Gadd worked for over two years with the WSP. He is the 33rd member of the agency to die in the line of duty.
For those looking to donate to Gadd's family, the WSP Memorial Foundation provided the following instructions:
- Using Venmo, donations can be sent to @WSP-MemorialFoundation. Please note “Trooper Gadd” in the note section. (If last 4 is requested, use 4411)
- Go into any Chase Bank Branch and make a check deposit into the “Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation” account. “Trooper Gadd” should be noted on the check note line.
- Using your own bank, you can log in online or through your mobile app and make a donation using Zelle. Donations can be sent to our WSPMF number, 360-597-4411, or email, wspmemorialfoundation@gmail.com. Please note “Trooper Gadd”. All donations received will be held for the family. There are no fees with using Zelle.
- You can mail a check made out to WSPMF with “Trooper Gadd” on the note line to:
- WSP Memorial Foundation
PO Box 901
Prosser, WA 99350
- WSP Memorial Foundation