TPD’s Roll Call of Honor

On the evening of July 30, 1892, off-duty Tacoma Police Officers Minor Cudihee and John Kenna were walking on McKinley Hill when they encountered Delmont Borders and David Seales lying on the sidewalk at the northeast corner of 35^th and East H Streets. Although unarmed, Officer Cudihee identified himself as a Police Officer and asked the intoxicated men what they were doing. They responded with curses, and Officer Cudihee ordered them to leave. They then assaulted the two Officers. Seales stabbed Officer Cudihee under the right arm, and slashed Officer Kenna across the back of his overcoat, while Borders attacked Kenna with a large rock.

The assailants fled on foot while Kenna helped Officer Cudihee to a nearby house, leaving the dying Officer in the care of the resident while he went for help. At 9:35 PM, the patrol wagon, which was also serving as the city ambulance, was dispatched from the police headquarters, but Officer Cudihee had died by the time it arrived. Both suspects were captured shortly after midnight and taken to the city jail. When a lynch mob formed outside the jail, Police Chief Lincoln Davis spirited the accused men to the county jail. In a shocking ending to this case, Seales claimed self-defense and was acquitted at his trial.

Officer Minor Cudihee was, at twenty-two years old, the youngest member of the Department and had been a Tacoma Police Officer for two years. Officer Cudihee was survived by his parents, three brothers, and four sisters. His brother, Edward, was a Seattle Police Detective, and later served two terms as King County Sheriff.

Gone But Not Forgotten

At 1:30 AM on August 9, 1925, Tacoma Motorcycle Officer William Wickman was in pursuit of a speeding car that was northbound in the 6800 block of Union Avenue (now called South Tacoma Way). At the same time, Mrs. Edward Schultz was driving a Ford Coupe southbound on Union Avenue.

Mrs. Schultz made a left turn at 68th Street and Union Avenue in front of Officer Wickman. The police motorcycle struck the passenger side of the Schultz car, throwing Officer Wickman onto the hood of the automobile where he struck the windshield frame with his head. Schultz said that she saw the motorcycle laying on the ground as she ran to a gas station for help, but did not see Officer Wickman. Another motorist, Mr. D.G. Bowlus, saw Officer Wickman’s body and flagged down a passing car. They loaded Officer Wickman into the car and drove him to Tacoma General Hospital where Officer Wickman was pronounced dead on arrival.

On August 10, 1925, just one day after the accident, a coroner’s jury absolved Mrs. Schultz of all responsibility in the death of Officer Wickman.

Officer William Wickman, 30, joined the Tacoma Police Department in October 1924 and served as a relief patrolman and prowl car Officer before being assigned to motorcycles. He was survived by his wife Georgia and two young daughters, Louise and Delores.

Gone But Not Forgotten

Just before noon on Saturday, November 23, 1941, Tacoma Police Officers Paul Trent and Martin Joyce were dispatched in the Paddy Wagon to a suicide call in Tacoma’s north end. The Officers, both nine-year veterans, responded northbound on Pacific Avenue and requested “the lights” from the dispatcher. This system allowed the dispatcher to regulate four-way red traffic signals at major intersections to allow emergency vehicles to pass through safely.

At the same time, Pierce County Deputy Sheriffs Arthur Varco and Lawrence Bunce were dispatched to an injury auto accident on River Road. The Deputies also requested the lights as they responded eastbound on South 11th Street in their Paddy Wagon, but they apparently did not hear the broadcast of the Tacoma Officers’ call.

In a tragic coincidence, both police wagons arrived at the intersection of South 11th Street and Pacific Avenue at the same time. Both drivers apparently assumed the red traffic lights were for their right-of-way. Neither could hear the other over the sounds of their sirens, and the two wagons collided. Officer Trent died at the scene and Officer Joyce died two days later of his injuries.

Officer Paul Trent joined the Tacoma Police Department May 16, 1932 and served in the Patrol Division. He was survived by his wife Dorothy.

Gone But Not Forgotten

Just before noon on Saturday, November 23, 1941, Tacoma Police Officers Martin Joyce and Paul Trent were dispatched in the Paddy Wagon to a suicide call in Tacoma’s north end. The Officers, both nine-year veterans, responded northbound on Pacific Avenue and requested “the lights” from the dispatcher. This system allowed the dispatcher to regulate four-way red traffic signals at major intersections to allow emergency vehicles to pass through safely.

At the same time, Pierce County Deputy Sheriffs Arthur Varco and Lawrence Bunce were dispatched to an injury auto accident on River Road. The Deputies also requested “the lights” as they responded eastbound on South 11th Street in their Paddy Wagon, but they apparently did not hear the broadcast of the Tacoma Officers’ call.

In a tragic coincidence, both police wagons arrived at the intersection of South 11th Street and Pacific Avenue at the same time. Both drivers apparently assumed the red traffic lights were for their right-of-way. Neither could hear the other over the sounds of their sirens, and the two wagons collided. Officer Trent died at the scene and Officer Joyce died two days later of his injuries.

Officer Martin Joyce joined Tacoma Police Department on June 1, 1932 and served in the Patrol Division. He was survived by his wife, Elizabeth, son Richard and daughter, Mrs. T.C. Maule.

Gone But Not Forgotten

On January 22, 1957, Sergeant L. Ben Overdahl was having a cup of coffee at a restaurant at 1104 South “K” Street when Mrs. Alberta McClung, an employee of the business, requested his assistance. McClung told Officer Overdahl that Harold Almquist was drunk and bothering other customers in the establishment and asked Sergeant Overdahl to speak to Almquist.

Sergeant Overdahl, who was off-duty and in plain clothes, was unable to quiet Almquist. Overdahl arrested Almquist and led him outside to the call box at 11th and “K” Streets. A minor struggle ensued with Almquist and Officer Overdahl collapsed from a heart attack. A taxi driver aided the stricken Officer while Almquist fled. Sergeant Overdahl was pronounced dead on arrival at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Almquist was located a few minutes later in a nearby tavern and was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and resisting arrest.

Sergeant L. Ben Overdahl was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and worked as an engineer on a locomotive before coming to Tacoma in 1920. Sergeant Overdahl was employed as a carpenter and a longshoreman before joining the Tacoma Police Department on May 8, 1930. He served as a prowl car officer before his promotion to Sergeant on October 1, 1942 and was head of the Traffic Division for three years. He was appointed City Jail Superintendent on March 25, 1952 and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death.

Sergeant Overdahl was survived by his wife Maude and son Norman Overdahl.

Gone But Not Forgotten

At 8:30 PM on September 9, 1977, twenty-nine-year-old Tacoma Police Officer Larry Frost responded to the Food King Store at 3510 South 56th Street, where a brick had been thrown through the window of the business by David Ace Milford. At 8:43 PM, Officer Frost located Milford at South 64th Street and South Tacoma Way and attempted to arrest him.

Milford, who was 6′ 2″ and weighed 200 pounds, struck Officer Frost with his fist and knocked the 5′ 11″, 175-pound officer to the pavement. Milford got on top of Officer Frost and wrestled the Officer’s gun from its holster and shot Officer Frost several times in the chest and neck. Milford then threw the revolver away and stripped off his clothes as he ran from the scene.

Responding Officers located Milford lying naked in a parking lot near South 66th Street and South Tacoma Way, feigning unconsciousness. Milford was arrested without incident and was subsequently found to be insane. He was committed to a mental hospital for a short time.

Officer Larry Frost joined the Tacoma Police Department on March 30, 1970 and was assigned to the Patrol Division. His father, Leland Frost, served on the Department for twenty-eight years. Officer Frost’s brother Marvin and his cousin, Dave Frost, also served as Tacoma Police Officers. Officer Frost was a graduate of Tacoma’s Lincoln High School and was survived by his son Steven Lee and daughter Heather Lea.

Gone But Not Forgotten

On January 24, 1985 at approximately 6:25 PM, Tacoma Police Officers responded to the 1000 block of North Prospect Street where Kenneth Schrader had attacked his wife and slashed his twelve-year-old stepson in the head with a knife. The stepson fled to a neighbor’s house while Schrader fatally shot his wife. Schrader then walked to the neighbor’s house where he shot the twenty-three-year-old female resident as she hid in the bathroom with Schrader’s stepson and two other people.

Officers Craig Nollmeyer and William Taylor Jr. arrived in the area and positioned themselves at the corner of North 11th and Prospect Streets. In the meantime, Schrader moved to the alley behind his house. Observing the Officers on foot, Schrader raised his .44 magnum revolver and pulled the trigger, but the weapon did not fire.

Hearing Schrader’s gun click, Officer Nollmeyer apparently believed that Schrader was out of bullets, but Schrader’s next round fired, striking Officer Nollmeyer in the head and killing him instantly. Officer Taylor and other Officers returned fire and struck Schrader four times. Schrader survived his wounds and was later convicted of murder, but spared the death penalty.

Officer Craig Nollmeyer, 33, joined the Tacoma Police Department on December 4, 1981 and was assigned to the Patrol Division. He was survived by his wife Patricia, son Trevor, and daughter Emily.

Gone But Not Forgotten

At approximately 2:30 AM on October 25, 1986, Tacoma Police Officers Larry Walker, 44, and David Paul responded to a domestic disturbance at 755 South 39th Street. They met the female complainant, who was the suspect’s wife in front of their home, and then heard something being thrown through the front window of the house. As the Officers approached the home, the woman’s husband, twenty-three-year-old Jeffrey Westmark, confronted Officer Paul with a butcher knife.

Ignoring Officer Paul’s commands to stop, Westmark advanced toward Officer Paul as the Officer fired at him. Officer Paul slipped and fell backwards as he stepped away from Westmark, who then jumped on top of Officer Paul and tried to stab him with the butcher knife. As they struggled on the ground, Officer Paul fired additional shots at Westmark; one of which accidentally struck Officer Walker.

Three minutes had elapsed between the time the Officers arrived at the Westmark home and the moment Officer Walker was shot. Westmark, described as “shockingly violent” at the inquest, forever altered the lives of many people in those three minutes.

Officer Larry Walker joined the Tacoma Police Department on August 14, 1967 and was awarded the Department’s Lifesaving Medal in 1976 for saving a cardiac patient. Officer Walker was survived by his wife Debra, and daughters Janet, Susan, Cassandra, and Christine.

Gone But Not Forgotten

At 6:30 AM on August 28, 1997, Tacoma Special Weapons and Tactical (SWAT) Team members responded to 1026 East 57th Street where Sap Kray, a 45-year-old male that was threatening his wife with a rifle. The SWAT Team, which included Officer William Lowry, surrounded Kray’s residence and began negotiations with Kray. At 10 AM, Kray indicated that he would surrender, but when Officer Lowry and other SWAT Team members approached the front door, Kray opened fire on them with a 7.62 caliber SKS assault rifle, killing Officer Lowry and wounding Officer David Peck.

Kray was also wounded in the exchange of gunfire with the SWAT Team and retreated back into his house; finally surrendering four hours later. Kray was subsequently convicted of aggravated murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Officer William Lowry joined the Tacoma Police Department on September 27, 1979, serving in the Patrol Division until June 8, 1986, when he entered the United States Army as a Lieutenant. Officer Lowry resumed his duties with the Police Department on December 18, 1989, and served in Patrol and Narcotics prior to his death.

Officer Lowry was survived by his wife Jolin, and daughter Frances, as well as his brother Tim Lowry who also served as a Tacoma Police Officer.

Gone But Not Forgotten

At approximately 2:29 PM on April 27, 2004, Tacoma Police Traffic Officer James G. Lewis, 45, was responding to a call to assist Detectives in stopping a vehicle believed to contain a homicide suspect.  Officer Lewis was driving his Kawasaki police motorcycle southbound on Alaska Street using his emergency lights and siren.  Approaching South 55th Street, Officer Lewis began passing a southbound car.  This car suddenly turned left in front of Officer Lewis.  Unable to stop in time, the police motorcycle struck the side of the car, throwing Officer Lewis against the car and pinning his body under his motorcycle.

Officer Lewis was transported to Tacoma General Hospital where the medical staff worked diligently to save the injured Officer’s life, but these efforts were unsuccessful.  At 5:16 PM, Officer Lewis was pronounced dead.

Officer James Lewis joined the Tacoma Police Department on January 7, 1985 and served most of his career in the Patrol Division.  An avid mountain climber and sportsman, he served for many years in the Tacoma Mountain Rescue Unit, as well as the Police and Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit.  Officer Lewis was promoted to Police Patrol Specialist in April 1990 and transferred to the Tacoma Police Traffic Unit in January 2004.

Officer Lewis was survived by his wife Kanchana (Toy), and their son Nicholas (Nick).

Gone But Not Forgotten

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