Community remembers fallen Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha
Community members line the streets to honor life of Everett officer Dan Rocha
A procession was held in Everett for officer Dan Rocha before his funeral service. The streets were lined with community members showing their support for law enforcement and Rocha himself. Afterward, Everett officers cleared flowers and messages of well-wishing from Rocha's vehicle outside the department.
EVERETT, Wash. - A memorial service was held Monday for fallen Everett Police officer Dan Rocha at Angel of the Winds Arena.
41-year-old Dan Rocha was killed in the line of duty on Friday, March 25, 2022, while confronting a man for "suspicious behavior" at a Starbucks parking lot near Everett Community College.
Officer Rocha has been with Everett Police Department since 2017. He is survived by his wife, two sons and large extended family.
A procession took place on Monday, April 4 prior to the memorial service. It began shortly after 11 a.m. at 1302 SE Everett Mall Way and traveled west to Evergreen Way. Then it moved north on Evergreen Way and stay on Rucker Ave. until reaching downtown and heading west to Angel of the Winds Arena.
The public lined the streets along SE Everett Mall Way, Evergreen Way, and Rucker Ave.
"It's important to show police that you are very behind them, that you support them," Lori Joyce said.
"These guys deal with a lot of horrible things every day, it’s just sad that it happened," said Todd Peterson, president of Dicks Towing Company.
Memorial fund
A memorial fund has been created to support the family of fallen Everett Police officer Dan Rocha.
On Everett Police Department's website, Chief Dan Templeman wrote:
"Our community has 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."
The official memorial fund was created in partnership with Victim Support Services, Coastal Community Bank and the City of Everett. According to the website, 100% of the funds will honor Officer Rocha and support his family.
Everett Police Department's website also offers other ways to donate:
- All branches of Coastal Community Bank are accepting donations of checks and cash to the fund. Make checks payable to "VSS-Dan Rocha Memorial"
- The City of Everett will accept checks or cash donations at the Clerks Office:
- 2930 Wetmore Ave. Suite 1-A Everett, WA. 98201
- Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for walk-ins
- By appointment only from 12:00 p.m. through 1:00 p.m.
- To schedule an appointment, please call 425-257-8610
The community is mourning the loss of not just an Everett police officer, but a man who they said touched the community.
Acording to Everett Police Department, Officer Rocha was transported privately in a movement with honors by the Everett Police Honor Guard on Sunday. He was moved to a private funeral home for the family and there will not be a public viewing at this time.
Volunteers began dismantling the memorial on Officer Rocha’s car in front of the Everett Police Department. Flowers will be mulched by the Parks Department and given to the family to be used in their garden
Detectives with the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART) are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or who may have surveillance footage of it to contact them at 425-338-3845.
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