TACOMA, Wash. — A memorial for a Pierce County deputy who was killed in the line of duty was held Monday in Tacoma.
A funeral procession left Joint Base Lewis-McChord about 11:20 a.m. and reached the Tacoma Dome, where the memorial was held. Watch a replay of the procession and memorial service below.
Cooper Dyson, 25, was killed in a crash in Parkland on Dec. 21 while heading to a domestic violence call to help another deputy.
>>PHOTOS: Procession for fallen Pierce County deputy
Dyson leaves behind his wife, Brittany, and a 2-year-child. Brittany is currently pregnant with their second child.
Dyson’s family told KIRO 7 that he truly loved his job as a deputy. He was a member of the Coast Guard before starting his career in law enforcement.
>>RELATED: Community steps up to help family of Pierce County deputy killed in crash
“He knew the danger of what the job was, and so he kept a Bible with him in his patrol car at all times,” said Dyson’s father, Brad Dyson. You can watch a video of comments from his family at the bottom of this story.
Dyson was on his way to a violent struggle between a deputy and 22-year-old Demecies Craver. Craver is accused of assaulting his disabled 6-year-old and nearly killing Zepp, a sheriff’s K-9, with his bare hands.
“One of the people involved in the domestic violence had armed themselves with a shotgun,” said Detective Ed Troyer, a spokesman for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department. "So our deputy called for backup.”
Dyson was responding to that call for backup when his patrol vehicle crashed. Investigators said speed and rain likely caused his death.
Dyson’s funeral is open to the public. There will be no public parking available at the Tacoma Dome and attendees will need to find parking off-site.
For those who want to help the Dyson family, the Sheriff’s Department has established a Legacy Fund at this link >> Legacy Fund page
Also, people can go to any TAPCO Credit Union and donate.
The fund is the only official fund supported by the Sheriff’s Department and the deputy’s family.
Memorial for Deputy Cooper Dyson:
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