Trooper Christopher M. Gadd #927 (WSP Facebook screenshot)
How could I not write about yet another avoidable tragedy/travesty involving an illegal immigrant when this one happened less than 20 miles north of where I live? And add to that the vermin accused of killing 27-year-old Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Christopher Gadd, lives in a town that borders mine, and it seems the illegal immigrant crisis is hitting home.
Before I go on, you’ll note I don’t use the “big three” local legacy news affiliates (ABC 4, NBC 5, CBS 7) in this story because that would not be fair to you. These local TV news media, in one way or another, seemed reluctant to report that the man suspected of killing Trooper Gadd is in the country illegally. Two of these outlets even blurred out this adult’s face, something normally reserved for juveniles. Why would they protect him?
What happened to the trooper is a criminal tragedy and would still be even if the suspect were an American or at least here legally. But he wasn’t, and the level of the tragedy intensifies when the suspect should not have been in the U.S. It just does.
On March 2nd, 2024, Trooper Gadd was on duty on southbound Interstate 5 in Marysville at approximately 3:00 a.m. According to FOX 13 News, “investigators say Raul Benitez Santana crashed his car into… [Trooper Gadd] and killed him. FOX 13 News obtained probable cause documents which say Benitez Santana had bloodshot eyes and admitted to drinking and smoking weed before driving.”
A witness said the suspect was driving in the shoulder/breakdown lane as if it were a traffic lane. He estimated Santana’s vehicle at “100 miles per hour….” Other reports have repeated this estimated speed.
The New York Post reported, Santana, “An illegal migrant from Mexico with a lengthy rap sheet has been arrested for allegedly crashing his vehicle into a Washington state trooper, killing the 27-year-old husband and father.” [emphasis added]
Trooper Christopher Gadd with wife and baby. (Photo WSP Facebook)
According to MyNorthwest.com, “The SUV then bounced off the trooper’s vehicle, stopped in the fast lane, and was subsequently hit by a van with six people inside.” Trooper Gadd was pronounced dead at the scene. Adding to the heartbreak, reportedly, Trooper Gadd’s father is also a WSP trooper, and his sister is a Texas DPS state trooper.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation.
It’s also been reported that Santana’s criminal history in the U.S. includes traffic and drug offenses, failing to appear in court, and a domestic violence charge. The judge set Santana’s bail at $1 million, finding “probable cause to charge him with vehicular homicide and vehicular assault.” FOX 13 added that the Seattle ICE office placed a detainer on Santana, “who entered the US illegally.”
However, the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) lists Snohomish County as a “sanctuary county” within the sanctuary state of Washington. I don’t know if Santana’s illegal status will affect this case, but the legislature passed and the governor signed a sanctuary law in 2019 preventing counties from cooperating with ICE, including detainers.
From his throne of despotism in the sanctuary state of Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee sent his obligatory, hollow, condolences, which are of little comfort to families like Trooper Gadd’s suffering at the hands of illegal immigrant criminals protected by horribly irresponsible political officials in these states, counties, and cities. Because of “leaders” like him, we continue to watch as Americans, including its law enforcement officers, are needlessly slaughtered.
According to the Lynnwood Times, “On May 21, 2019, Governor Jay Inslee (D) signed legislation making Washington state a Sanctuary State—restricting law enforcement from asking about immigration status and prohibiting both jails and state prisons from complying with ICE detainers. Inslee signed an executive order with similar provisions in 2017.”
Fortunately, Governor-Dictator Sleepy Jay’s legacy of so-called “police reform” is being shredded as the legislature continues to “rollback” Inslee’s public safety-destroying, anti-police legislation.
Let’s hope a rollback of Washington’s “Sanctuary State” status is the next item of Inslee’s legacy to collapse.
I contacted the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office and asked how the sanctuary county status may affect this case. I have not heard back from them.
The Lynnwood Times also provided contact information for those wishing to show their support for Trooper Gadd’s family.
“Anyone wishing to send cards to the family are asked to address them to the WSP Marysville Office: 2700 116th St. NE, Marysville, WA 98271.”
WSP held an escort of Trooper Chris Gadd #927 on Tuesday, March 5, in Everett passing along State Road 526 and Everett Mall Way.
Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation Support for the family of Trooper Gadd
The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation has shared below four ways community members can make donations for the Gadd family. All of the donations received in Trooper Gadd’s name will be given directly to the family.
- Using Venmo, donations can be sent to @WSP-MemorialFoundation. Please note “Trooper Gadd” in the note section. (If last 4 is requested, use 4411)
- Go into any Chase Bank Branch and make a check deposit into the “Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation” account. “Trooper Gadd” should be noted on the check note line.
- Using your own bank, you can log in online or through your mobile app and make a donation using Zelle. Donations can be sent to our WSPMF number, 360-597-4411, or email, wspmemorialfoundation@gmail.com. Please note “Trooper Gadd”. All donations received will be held for the family. There are no fees with using Zelle.
- You can mail a check made out to WSPMF with “Trooper Gadd” on the note line to:
WSP Memorial Foundation
PO Box 901
Prosser, WA 99350
For any questions, please contact Megan King at wspmemorialfoundation@gmail.com.
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