How to view fallen deputy Dom Calata’s memorial and support his surviving family
Friday is the day Pierce County has set aside to remember fallen deputy Dom Calata with a procession and celebration of life. Calata was shot on March 15 during a SWAT operation. He died the next day at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma. Sergeant Rich Scaniffe also was shot and seriously injured.
The public also can show support for Calata and his family in other ways. Here’s a breakdown of how:
Donations in support of Calata’s widow and son can be made through an official legacy fund, where 100% of donations will go directly to Calata’s family. The fund was created in partnership with the Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers.
Flowers or cards for Calata’s family can be dropped off at the Pierce County Sherrif’s South Hill Precinct at 271 John Bananola Way E. in South Hill.
The public can also donate blood in The Deputy Dom Calata Memorial Blood Drive in his honor, according to the city of Lakewood. Calata was an organ donor. Blood drive donations can be made until April 23 by visiting any Bloodworks Northwest location and using the donor code “DOM” or mention Deputy Calata’s name so the results of the drive can be tracked.
A support fund has also been established for Sergeant Rich Scaniffe who also suffered a life-threatening injury in the March 15 incident. Funds can be donated online or by visiting a TAPCO Credit Union branch, and 100% of donations will go to Scaniffe and his family to support his recovery costs.
Procession Details
A procession for Calata will begin on Friday, March 25 at 10:30 a.m. at the Washington State Fairgrounds and travel from Puyallup to The Church For All Nations at 111 112th St. E. in Tacoma, where the celebration of life will take place.
According to a Wednesday press release from Pierce County, “the public is encouraged to line the route of the procession to show their support for Deputy Calata and his family.” The procession is expected to end about 12:30 p.m., and the celebration of life begins at the church at 1 p.m.
The public is encouraged to plan ahead because of road closures on and along the processional route. The closures include 112th Street East from 7th Avenue South to Pacific Avenue South in the Parkland area from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The procession will:
▪ Begin by traveling west on 9th Avenue Southwest
▪ Turn left on Fairview Drive, which becomes 9th Street Southwest
▪ Turn right on 39th Avenue Southwest, which becomes 112th Street East
▪ Continue on 112th Street East to The Church For All Nations
For those planning to attend the procession, Accuweather is predicting about 57 degrees and partly sunny, with almost no chance of rain.
Celebration of Life Details
The celebration of life for Pierce County sheriff’s deputy Dominique “Dom” Calata will take place Friday at 1 p.m.
The celebration of life has very limited seating, which will be prioritized for family and friends of Calata. Members of the public can watch the service via live broadcast from a viewing location at Champions Centre at 1819 E. 72nd St. in Tacoma.
The celebration of life will also be televised on local news channels and live-streamed on the Pierce County website.
This story was originally published March 24, 2022 at 1:30 PM.
