Family releases statement about fallen Tacoma police officer

The family of the fallen Tacoma police officer who was fatally shot last week has released a statement about their lost loved one.

Antoinette Gutierrez of Nevada released a statement about her brother, Tacoma Officer Jake Gutierrez, on Monday. Gutierrez was shot and killed as he responded to a domestic call on Nov. 30.

PHOTOS: Tacoma police processional for fallen officer

Antoinette’s statement:

We would like to personally thank the City of Tacoma for the outpouring of love that has been shown for my brother Officer Jake Gutierrez. We are humbled by the amount of support he has received from the community and the love we have received from his family in blue. It is quite evident that he has had a tremendous impact on the community. Although we cannot turn back the clock, I hope everyone can find comfort in the fact that my brother loved his job — he ran towards danger while others ran away. He was my hero before this happened and will be a hero forever in this community. With a heavy heart my family would personally like to say thank you.

Some people in the home escaped when the situation escalated, and Gutierrez was shot multiple times in the process. Tacoma police spent the evening in a standoff with the shooter who was using two children as shields. The shooter died later that night after being shot himself.

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