Community to honor fallen Trooper Christopher Gadd at memorial service, procession Tuesday

MARYSVILLE, Wash. — Thousands of people are expected to honor fallen Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Christopher Gadd in a public memorial service and procession on Tuesday.

Gadd was killed while working DUI patrol on March 2 when a driver suspected of being impaired slammed into the back of his patrol unit, killing the 27-year-old trooper and young father.

The procession honoring Gadd is expected to start around 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Tulalip Resort & Casino, then progress down to the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett for the ceremony at 1 p.m.

Since Gadd’s death, hundreds of people have flocked to the memorial outside WSP district headquarters in Marysville to pay their respects and honor Gadd.

“They’re not just people on the side of the road doing a job,” said Julie Taylor, who visited the memorial Monday. “They have families that love them, and they have parents, moms, and dads, brothers, and sisters just like we do, and now someone’s gone, never to come back, all we can do is love.”

RELATED: Memorial service to be held Tuesday for WSP trooper killed in the line of duty

Gadd’s high school friend, Nicholas Holly, also came by the memorial on Monday to honor his friend who inspired him to get into a career in public service as well.

“The most motivating individual I’ve ever known,” Holly said. “I kind of followed him in everything that he did. He ironically inspired me to become a firefighter.”

The suspect admitted to smoking marijuana and drinking before the deadly crash. Gadd had been with WSP for about 2.5 years and has multiple family members who are also state troopers and in law enforcement.

Even for those who didn’t know Gadd, the impact of his loss has rippled throughout the community.

RELATED: Driver accused of killing WSP trooper in I-5 crash is Mexican citizen 'unlawfully' in US

“It changes your life when you come out and stand before this. The impact is felt deep in your heart, you know? Thank God for people like this,” Taylor said.

Dean Ledford came by with a donation to Gadd’s family, hoping to support Gadd’s wife and his young two-year-old daughter as they navigate the coming months.

“God Bless you both, Mrs. Gadd and the little two-year-old girl,” Ledford said, “She has to realize her dad was a hero, and he just had so much to look forward to.”

“The loss is felt throughout our whole community, and there’s one less officer out there to protect us and to serve,” Taylor said.

RELATED: Driver arrested for WSP trooper's death admitted to drinking, smoking before I-5 crash

Doors open at the arena at noon, an hour before the ceremony is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.. The event is open to the public. The memorial service will be livestreamed on KOMOnews.com, the KOMO News YouTube channel and on the WSP’s YouTube channel.

For information on how to support Gadd's family, visit the WSP Memorial Foundation.