Authorities say two Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies were shot and killed as they tried to arrest a man south of Tacoma, Washington.
Tacoma, wash. – One of the two Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies who were shot and killed while trying to arrest a man south of Tacoma, Washington, has died, authorities said Wednesday.
Dominic “Dom” Calata, 35, died Tuesday after a gun battle in Spanway, according to a statement from the Washington Council of Police and Sheriff’s Office.
A statement on the law enforcement group’s Facebook page said, “Please pray for Dom and for those who know and love him.”
According to The News Tribune, Kalata was taken to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Tacoma after the shooting. He was with the sheriff’s department for more than six years and was in the National Guard. Prior to that, Kalata served in the U.S. Army for five years. He graduated from Pacific Lutheran University, was married and had a 4 year old son.
The other deputy is identified as Rich Scanif, 45. Scaniff’s condition was serious after surgery at St. Joseph’s Medical Center. He is expected to survive.
Scaniff has been with the department for 21 years. He is a patrol sergeant assigned to Mountain Detachment and a SWAT team commander. Scaniff is married and has a daughter in elementary school, officials said.
“These are people who have a heart for public service,” said Sheriff Ed Troy. “It’s a tragedy all around.”
The suspect was killed in a gunfight.
The deputies were assisting the South Sound Gang Task Force to serve a warrant on a 40-year-old man for second-degree assault.
Police say the man, previously convicted of a crime, was believed to be a candidate for three strike lawsuits. That means he could face life in prison if convicted of another crime.