The Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) supported a multistate emphasis patrol in honor of fallen Trooper Christopher Gadd beginning on Friday, Sept. 26, a news release from the WSP stated.
Trooper Gadd was killed after being struck by an impaired driver on Interstate 5 just north of Marysville on March 2, 2024. Just prior to the incident, Gadd had messaged to his detachment members he was going to meet up with them for a break after “one more stop.”
In honor of Gadd’s dedication and sacrifice that night, WSP and law enforcement agencies across Washington, Oregon and Idaho conducted “One More Stop” emphasis patrols from Friday, Sept. 26, to Monday, Sept. 29, according to the release.
As a result, state, county and municipal law enforcement officers contacted 5,330 motorists across Washington. Forty-six percent were issued citations for infractions, while 54 percent were issued warnings. In addition, 109 motorists were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and 144 were arrested for other offenses or warrants.
The most common infraction cited was for speeding, which represented 28 percent of all motorist contacts. Citations for distracted driving were 4 percent, followed by 2.6 percent for seat belt and passenger restraint violations, the release stated.
“As we learned from the tragic loss of Trooper Christopher Gadd, impairment and speed are a fatal combination," WSP Chief John Batiste said. “I’m proud of the dedicated efforts of troopers, deputies, and officers across Washington, and our counterparts from Oregon and Idaho, who continue to honor his memory through their commitment to making our roads safer.”
For more information, visit wsp.wa.gov, wtsc.wa.gov and togetherwegetthere.com.
