EVERETT — Police Officer Dan Rocha, who died in the line of duty in March 2022, is poised to have a street section named for him near Everett Community College.
Earlier this month, Police Chief Dan Templeman filed a petition to rename the 1000 block of Trojan Way to Officer Dan Rocha Way.
Close by is the Starbucks at 10th Street and Broadway which Rocha frequented for coffee. It was in its parking lot where an assailant shot Rocha while resisting arrest. The officer initiated contact after seeing the man moving guns from one car to another in the parking lot. A jury sentenced his assailant, Richard Rotter, to life in prison earlier this year.
"Officer Rocha was a hero to his community and his family," Templeman wrote. "He faithfully and honorably served his community and made the ultimate sacrifice while investigating a felon who he observed transferring a gun from one vehicle to another. Officer Rocha's unwavering commitment to community safety and wellness prompted him to take action that day, which unfortunately led to his untimely death."
Rocha, 41, was a well-liked officer and family man with two sons. His death was Everett Police's first line-of-duty loss since 1999.
Both Mayor Cassie Franklin and Everett Community College's leadership wrote letters in support for the name change.
A public hearing will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26 at the Historical Commission meeting to be held in the 8th-floor Hearing Room of the Everett Municipal Building, 2930 Wetmore Ave. The Historical Commission is the first oversight body in a series of steps leading to the City Council making a final decision.
Public comments are also being taken by email and postal mail through Friday, Sept. 22.
To email, write to Alex Byrd at abyrd@everettwa.gov
To send mail, write to City of Everett Planning, Attn: Alex Byrd, 2930 Wetmore Ave. 8-A Everett, WA 98201
The college will still have Trojan Way for the blocks north of the 1000 block of Trojan Way.
