- ARTICLE UPDATE [5:58 p.m., Saturday, March 26, 2022] Added statement from Lynnwood Police Chief.
- ARTICLE UPDATE [12:02 p.m., Saturday, March 26, 2022] Added suspect arrested for murder of Officer Rocha.
- ARTICLE UPDATE [11:29 a.m., Saturday, March 26, 2022] Added statement from Everett Police Chief Templeman.
- ARTICLE UPDATE [9:01 a.m., Saturday, March 26, 2022] A memorial for Officer Rocha is located in front of the North Precinct located at 3002 Wetmore Ave in Everett.
- ARTICLE UPDATE [8:44 a.m., Saturday, March 26, 2022] Updated photos.
EVERETT, Wash., March 25, 2022 – The City of Everett is in mourning after Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha, 41, was shot and killed following gunfire in the Starbucks parking lot across the street of the Everett Community College campus.
In a statement released by the Everett Police, Officer Rocha has served with the department since 2017 and lived in Everett for over a decade. He joined as a parking enforcement officer and in 2018 became a fully commissioned law enforcement officer. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
According to an eyewitness interviewed by a local newspaper, gunshots were heard at around 2:15pm. The witness then saw uniformed officer on the ground in the parking lot of the Starbucks as the gunman sped away, running over the body of the officer.
After a two-and-a-half-mile vehicle pursuit, the suspect was arrested, a 50-year-old male. He was taken into custody at 35th and Rucker.
At 2:30 p.m., Snohomish County Deputies covered Officer Rocha’s body in a yellow sheet.
The investigation surrounding Officer Rocha’s death is being conducted by the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team. A memorial for Officer Rocha is located in front of the North Precinct located at 3002 Wetmore Ave in Everett.
#1- 14:14:55 |SHOOTING -MEDX |FIRE TAC 01 |1000 BLK N BROADWAY, EVERETT / STARBUCKS
#2- 14:21:49 | 35TH ST @ RUCKER AVE, EVERETT| COLLISION W/ENTRAPEMNT RELATED TO EPD’S TRAFFIC PURSUIT pic.twitter.com/xDmw2rtO4G
— SnoCo Info (@sfargon) March 25, 2022
Suspect Arrested for the Murder of Officer Rocha
According to Snohomish County records, a person named Richard James Rotter was arrested for the murder of Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha. Rotter has a long criminal history and is currently charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, Murder 1 and Murder 2.
Statement from Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin
“I am devastated by the loss of our Officer Dan Rocha, a valued member of our Everett Police Department who was killed today in the line of duty. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones, as well as our entire Everett Police Everett Police Department grieving this senseless loss. Our officers bravely put themselves in harm’s way to keep every one of us safe. When one of our heroes falls, it causes a ripple of grief felt by our entire community. We are heartbroken, and honor Officer Rocha’s memory, legacy, and ultimate sacrifice in service to our city.”
Statement from Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers
“Our hearts ache for the family, friends, and colleagues of the fallen Everett officer, Dan Rocha. On behalf of Snohomish County, we offer our deepest condolences to the entire community shaken by this loss of life and our thanks those police officers who will be out keeping our community safe, even under the shadow of this tragedy. We will provide any support the City of Everett needs and call on everyone to take a moment to honor the people who are here to serve and protect.”
Statement from County Councilman Nate Nehring
“I’m sickened to learn that an Everett Police Officer has been shot and killed near Everett Community College. This is a tragedy for Everett and the entire Snohomish County community. Please join me in praying for the fallen officer’s family and for the Everett Police Department during this time.”
Statement from Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney
“I was heartbroken and sickened to learn of the line of duty killing of Officer Dan Rocha with the Everett Police Department. He is survived by his wife and two children. All of the SCSO sends their thoughts and prayers to his family, the Everett Police Department and their loved ones. I learned of this news today while attending the memorial service for Deputy Calata in Pierce County. It is difficult to even put into words the feelings going on right now. I’m sure we are all feeling it tonight. Take care of each other. Lean on each other. Talk to someone if you need to.”
Statement from Congressman Rick Larsen
“I am heartbroken to learn Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha was killed in the line of duty. My prayers are with Officer Rocha’s family, friends and Everett Police Department colleagues during this difficult time.”
Statement from Everett Police Chief Templeman
“Yesterday our community lost a hero. Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha #1470 was fatally shot while doing his job – protecting and serving the community he loved. Officer Rocha was honored to wear the badge and proud to be a police officer in Everett. He was well-liked, highly respected by his co-workers and truly loved serving our residents. There are no words to make sense of this tragedy or to ease the pain for Officer Rocha’s grieving family. Officer Rocha was a loving husband and father and a role model for his two sons. They should be very proud of their dad, as he gave the ultimate sacrifice protecting our community. I ask that you keep Officer Rocha’s family and the men and women of the Everett Police Department in your thoughts and prayers as we all process this horrible tragedy. Officer Rocha will be missed, but not forgotten…”
Statement from Lynnwood Police Chief Jim Nelson
On behalf of myself and the entire Lynnwood Police Department, I want to express our deepest condolences to Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha’s family, friends and colleagues. I first heard of Officer Rocha’s passing as I was sitting in a church in Parkland surrounded by my law enforcement colleagues from across the State and US while attending the memorial for Pierce County Sheriff’s Deputy Dom Calata, who was recently killed in the line of duty.
While experiencing and processing the grief and loss for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and Deputy Calata’s friends and family, it was very difficult to consider that another officer’s family along with our friends and law enforcement partners at the Everett Police Department would now also be grieving the loss of one of their own.
We are holding the entire Everett Police Department, the community of Everett and all of our brothers and sisters in law enforcement close to our hearts today. We will continue to support them however we are able during this incredibly tragic and difficult time.
Please join us in that support of Officer Rocha’s family, the Everett Police Department and the entire law enforcement community as we try to come to terms with this sudden loss.
Author: Mario Lotmore
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