Reginald Gutierrez  End of Watch: November 30, 2016

On November 30, 2016, Tacoma Police Officers Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez and his partner, Erika Haberzettl, responded to a domestic disturbance near the 400 block of East 52nd Street. Upon arrival, they contacted an upset female who advised that her husband had taken her cell phone and locked her out of the house. Several attempts were made by the officers to contact the husband inside the residence with negative results. The officers learned that the couple's two children, ages 8 and 10, were also in the house with their father. The officers were concerned for the safety of the children and contacted the landlord to obtain a key to the residence. The officers made entry to the home using the key. They announced their presence as they entered the residence along with the landlord and suspect's wife. Officer Gutierrez engaged in a conversation with the husband while walking up the interior stairs to the second story. As Officer Gutierrez reached the top of the stairs he was shot and was incapacitated.

Upon hearing the gunshots, Officer Gutierrez's partner quickly ushered the wife out of the residence to safety and called for backup. Tacoma Police Officers and officers from numerous law enforcement agencies responded to assist. A rescue team was assembled and entered the residence. Officer Gutierrez was extricated then transported to the hospital and taken into surgery. He ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

Officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez joined the Tacoma Police Department on July 6, 1999. He was honored throughout his career with several awards and unit citations. The Medal of Merit was presented for sound tactics and judgment for his response to a call regarding a suicidal subject. The Award of Merit and a Critical Incident Impact Unit Award were earned for his response to an active shooter at the Tacoma Mall. He was presented with the Award of Merit for talking a suicidal subject out of jumping off the 34th Street Bridge, and he received a Disorder Response Team Unit Citation for the successful response to the Iraq War protest. Officer Gutierrez also received numerous commendations from the community that he served, as well as his supervisors and his peers. Officer Gutierrez is survived by his fiancée, Rebecca Humphries, and daughters Antonia, Gabriella and Victoria.

Gone But Not Forgotten