The Washington State community is mourning the loss of Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting, a 29-year-old Washington State Patrol officer who was tragically killed on duty, according to multiple reports. Guting was investigating a two-vehicle crash on southbound State Route 509, near the Port of Tacoma, when she was fatally struck by another vehicle around 7:30 p.m. Friday evening.
No arrests have been made in the case, with authorities indicating there is no sign the driver acted intentionally. The driver involved stopped and has been cooperating with investigators, as reported by KGW. Amidst profound grief, a 24-hour watch is being maintained over Trooper Guting at the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office as detectives continue their investigation and plans are made to reunite her with her family, who are traveling from Hawaii.
Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste reflected on the fallen trooper, stating, "Both very young people, very vibrant, and both love the Washington State Patrol and the jobs that they signed up for," referring to Guting and her husband, Timothy, a deputy state fire marshal. Governor Bob Ferguson also paid tribute, saying her death represents a profound loss for the state and her family, according to KIRO 7.
Details of Guting's life paint a picture of dedication and commitment. She enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2014, serving as a Signal Intelligence Analyst, and she joined the Washington State Patrol after graduating from the academy just over a year ago. "It’s very gloomy," Chief Batiste said in a statement obtained by KOMO News, "I have a bunch of troopers being debriefed at this time, so everyone has a hurt heart at this particular time." Guting is the 34th member of the Washington State Patrol to die in the line of duty in the agency's 105-year history.
A procession of law enforcement vehicles escorted Guting from the hospital to the medical examiner’s office late Friday night, a somber gesture to honor her service. Officials have announced that law enforcement will continue to accompany her until she is transferred to a funeral home, where officers are expected to line the route. "These are some of the most difficult times to have to look a family in the eye and tell them that their loved one isn't coming home," Chief Batiste told KOMO News.
