Hundreds of people attended the first of two vigils honoring a Tacoma police officer who was slain on duty.
People gathered Thursday at Officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez's home police station, lighting candles, singing songs and sharing memories. Knkx reporter Will James spoke to All Things Considered host Ed Ronco from the site of the vigil:
Another vigil was planned Thursday night at an elementary school.
Gutierrez was shot to death Wednesday after a woman approached animal control officers and said her husband had locked her out of their house and taken her phone.
Authorities say Gutierrez and his partner went into the home, and Gutierrez was shot as he headed up the stairs to speak with the suspect, who has not yet been officially identified by authorities. The female officer shot back and ran from the house, taking the wife to safety.
Earlier in the day, police Chief Donald Ramsdell told reporters Thursday the 45-year-old Gutierrez had been with the department since 1999 and had extensive experience dealing with domestic cases. He says Gutierrez was highly respected and had a great deal of integrity.
The suspect was shot and killed after an 11-hour standoff in which he used two young children as human shields.
