Pierce County Deputy Dies After Spanaway Shooting

PIERCE COUNTY — A Pierce County Sheriff's Department Deputy has died after a shootout with a suspect earlier this week.

In an update posted Wednesday afternoon, the Sheriff's Department confirmed that Deputy Dominique “Dom” Calata had succumbed to the injuries he suffered during a SWAT operation Tuesday afternoon just outside of Spanaway.

"We are heartbroken to inform our community that Deputy Dom Calata has passed away," the department said. "Our department members remain grateful for the outpouring of support we have received. Please keep Deputy Calata’s family in your prayers during this difficult time."

Memorial details are expected to be announced shortly.

Calata, 35, had been with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department for six and a half years. Before that he served in the National Guard for seven years, and spent five years in the U.S. Army. He was married and has a young son, the Sheriff's Department said. Of the two officers hurt in Tuesday's incident, Calata was much more seriously injured, and had been hospitalized in critical condition at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma before he passed away.

News of Calata's death has been met with an outpouring of support from the community.

"Our hearts are heavy with this sad news," the Pierce County Council tweeted. "We send condolences to Deputy Calata's family, friends and all within the @PierceSheriff department who are hurting right now. Thank you Deputy Calata for your service and sacrifice."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Deputy Dominique Calata and the Pierce County Sheriff's Department as they mourn the loss of one of their finest," the Tacoma Police Department said.

Following Tuesday's shooting a number of agencies have offered their support to both officers and their department. More than 150 law enforcement officers gathered at St. Joseph Medical Center Tuesday to express their condolences, The News Tribune reported.

"Our hearts are broken as we share the news of fallen Deputy Dom Calata," said West Pierce Fire & rescue. "We continue to keep his family, friends and all of the Pierce County Sheriff's Department in our thoughts as they grieve this tremendous loss. Gone, but never forgotten."

Meanwhile the Gig Harbor Police Department switched up patrol routines to help cover for the Sheriff's Department in its time of need.

The other injured officer, 45-year-old Sergeant Rich Scaniffe, has worked in the Sheriff's Department for 21 years and is currently assigned to their Mountain Detachment. He has also served on the Department's SWAT team for 14 years, and has been its commander for the last year. Scaniffe is also married and has a young daughter. Scaniffe has reportedly undergone surgery for his injuries, but is in stable condition and is expected to recover.

The shooting happened around noon Tuesday as the Pierce County SWAT team issued a warrant near the intersection 190th Street Court S and Pacific Avenue S. As KING 5 first reported, two deputies were injured. The suspect was killed.

Little else about the shooting has been released. The Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT) will investigate the incident, a standard response for any incident in which police use deadly force inside the county.