Thousands show up to pay respects to fallen Tacoma officer

TACOMA, Wash. - Outside the Tacoma Dome, bagpipers signaled the arrival of the hearse carrying fallen officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez.

The long line of officers to receive Gutierrez wasn’t the only show of respect, community members showed it in their own way.

“We made a heart with a thin blue line,” said one father.



Gratitude was also shown in a silent formation by the Patriot Guard Riders.

It’s the first time to salute the fallen officer but not the last time he will be remembered. “We won’t -- we will never forget our fallen heroes,” said a Patriot Guard member.

“He indeed was a true hero,” former Tacoma prosecutor Anne Crowley said.

A hero is the best way to describe an officer who served Tacoma residents for 17 years, killed during a domestic violence call.

“He was an excellent officer he was particularly adept at responding to domestic violence,” Crowley said.

And for that service, people from the community showed up in buses marked with the officer's name and law enforcement from across the Washington came out in force to say their last goodbyes.

“I just feel so bad for the family just everybody,” Maria Horbath said.

Horbath drove from Enumclaw then walked a mile to the Tacoma Dome to show support for Gutierrez, someone she never met.

“Brought a little tree maybe they can plant it,” Horbath said.