Memorial service to be held for fallen Washington State Patrol trooper Tara-Marysa Guting
WSP trooper killed in Tacoma crash remembered for 'life of service'
Washington State Patrol is mourning Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting, who was killed Friday night after being struck by two vehicles while investigating a crash on SR 509. Guting, an Army National Guard veteran who joined the WSP two years ago, is being remembered by colleagues and the community as a hero dedicated to public safety.
TACOMA, Wash. - A memorial service has been set for fallen Washington State Patrol Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting, who was killed while helping a motorist involved in a crash last week.
WSP announced this week that it will honor Guting at the Life Center Central Campus in Tacoma at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27. The service will not include a law enforcement procession but will instead focus on family, friends and colleagues, the agency said. Because space is limited, the event will be streamed live.
The backstory:
On Friday, Dec. 19, Guting was responding to a crash on State Route 509 near the Port of Tacoma. The 29-year-old trooper was outside her vehicle assisting those involved when she was struck by another driver, the agency said. The driver who hit Guting remained at the scene.
Featured
Gov. Ferguson orders flags lowered for WA trooper killed on duty
Governor Bob Ferguson has issued a directive requiring all state agencies to lower state and American flags in honor of the WSP trooper killed in the line of duty last week.
Later that weekend, the Tacoma Police Department announced that investigators believe a second driver ran over the trooper after the initial impact. Authorities have located and impounded a suspect vehicle but are still seeking more information.
Washington State Patrol Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting (Source: WSP)
What's next:
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers. Tacoma police said the tip line remains open for any information regarding the Dec. 19 incident.
Witnesses or those with dashcam footage are also urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Investigators are specifically looking for footage from the southbound lanes of SR-509 near Port of Tacoma Road between 7:20 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tips can be directed to the Tacoma Police Department through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Guting began her WSP career as a trooper cadet in January 2024, following eight years of service with the Army National Guard. She served District 1 in Tacoma. Guting was originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, and married her husband, Timothy, in 2019.
The Source: Information in this story came from the Washington State Patrol and original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Judge orders release of US Army Veteran from ICE detention in Tacoma, WA
Renton, WA residents expect long cleanup in Cedar River flooding aftermath
VIDEO: Elderly couple robbed, attacked in Lynnwood, WA parking lot
Repairs underway on SR 410 after White River flooding washout
Driver fleeing police hits family of four in Puyallup, WA
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.