MARYSVILLE—Washington State Patrol is mourning the loss of Trooper Christopher M Gadd #927, who was tragically killed in the line-of-duty early Saturday morning after being struck by a motorist on southbound Interstate 5 near 136th Street North in Marysville. He served two-and-a-half years with the WSP.
“Chris’s passing is a devastating loss to his family – a family who knows all too well the risks of public service but still has offered that service with unquestioned valor and now, unfathomable sacrifice,” said WSP Chief John R. Batiste during a news conference on March 2 who was joined by Snohomish County Sheriff Susanna Johnson. “I can tell you that across the entire Washington State Patrol, every head is bowed, every knee is bent, and every heart is broken as we mourn this loss. To honor Chris, even in sorrow, we will go on. We will continue to serve. Because he did, we must.”
Just before 3 a.m., on March 2, Snohomish County deputies responded to a serious collision on I-5 southbound at 136th Street NE. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Trooper Gadd was struck by an SUV and passed away at the scene.
During the investigation, detectives determined the suspect’s SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed on I-5 south, veered off the roadway and struck the rear end of the trooper’s vehicle that was parked on the right shoulder.
After the initial collision, the suspect vehicle became disabled and a van traveling southbound collided with it. The driver of the van was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The five passengers in the van were not injured.
UPDATE: The Washington State Patrol has identified the trooper hit & killed on I-5 SB in Marysville early this morning as 27yo Christopher M. Gadd.
Gadd was on patrol searching for DUI drivers when he was hit and killed.
Gadd leaves behind a wife and a 2-year-old daughter. pic.twitter.com/mKe1RKsiq7
— Steve McCarron KOMO (@SteveTVNews) March 2, 2024
The suspect remained at the scene and was transported to Providence Regional Medical Center for an evaluation following the collision. A blood search warrant was approved and administered.
The suspect, Raul Benitez Santana, 32, of Lynnwood, was arrested and transported to the Snohomish County Jail where he was booked for vehicular homicide, a Class A felony. He is expected to make his first court appearance Monday, March 4.
Trooper Gadd, 27, is survived by his wife, Cammryn, daughter Kaelyn, father WSP Trooper David Gadd, mother Gillian, sister, Jacqueline who currently serves as a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety, and many other family members, friends and colleagues.
Trooper Gadd was born on Sept. 28, 1996, in Pasco, Wash. He graduated from Kentlake High School in Kent, Wash., before attending Green River College and Tacoma Community College, earning his Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) certification. Trooper Gadd married his wife Cammryn on Jan. 11, 2020. The couple welcomed their daughter, Kaelyn Rebecca, on Jan. 31, 2022.
Gadd began working for the WSP on September 16, 2021, as a trooper cadet assigned to Grandview. He joined the 116th Trooper Basic Training Class (TBTC) on April 18, 2022. He successfully graduated later that year on Nov. 16 and was assigned to serve in Marysville.
While at the academy, Trooper Gadd received the Top Academic Award that recognizes the outstanding efforts of the cadet who attains the highest grade point average compiled in the more than 30 exams necessary for graduation.
“The Washington State Patrol family mourns with them [the family of Trooper Gadd],” WSP Chief John Batiste said. “I have heard from countless members of the profession and members of the community throughout the state and beyond the borders of our state, expressing their condolences to Chris’ family and to the men and women of this great organization. That is deeply appreciated.”
Trooper Gadd is the 33rd member of the WSP to die in the line of duty in the agency’s 103 years of service to this state. His sacrifice on March 2, came on the very same day when Trooper James Gain was struck and killed by a semi on I-5 near Vancouver, Wash. 37 years ago.
#YourWSP removed 245 impaired drivers from WA roadways in the past week. There are many options to get you where you want to go safely. Driving impaired is never one of them.
☞ Find a designated driver
☞ Use a rideshare or public transit
☞ Walk
☞ Stay with a friend or family pic.twitter.com/QkExrogPD7— WA State Patrol (@wastatepatrol) February 29, 2024
Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation Support for the family of Trooper Gadd
The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation has shared below four ways community members can make donations for the Gadd family. All of the donations received in Trooper Gadd’s name will be given directly to the family.
- 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
For any questions, please contact Megan King at wspmemorialfoundation@gmail.com.
FEATURED IMAGE: Courtesy of Washington State Patrol
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