As the community grieves the loss of fallen Pierce County Sheriff’s Deputy Dominique Calata, so do the Puyallup staff and students who were just getting to know him. Tragically, Deputy Calata was shot in the line of duty on March 15 and lost his life to the injuries the next day.
Deputy Calata was assigned to the patrol division of the Edgewood Police Department and was a member of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department SWAT team. Recently, Calata had become the Edgewood liaison to assist School Resource Officer Deputy Carly Cappetto in Puyallup schools. Whenever she could not be there, Calata was called upon to visit her schools. He had been to Edgemont Junior High with Cappetto a few times and had attended meetings at Mt. View Elementary.
The students from Mt. View first met Deputy Calata on March 11 during an outside all-school assembly. He was there with Deputy Cappetto to kick off the Teddy Bears and Blankets drive for the March Gladness service project sponsored by the Mt. View student leadership. It was his first time connecting with students at the school, and something he had been requesting to do for a while.
During the assembly SRO Cappetto shared with the students that the blankets and stuffed animals collected would be given to the Edgewood Police Department for officers to keep in their cars to give to people they meet who need comforting during stressful circumstances.
After the assembly, Calata and Cappetto interacted with students and played basketball with them during the kindergarten and second grade recess.
“This is someone who made a difference. He wasn’t looking to, but he made a difference to so many people. His time at Mt. View was extra special because he’s not an SRO – this is someone who just had a heart for kids and wanted to do something in the community,” said Director of Compliance and Risk Management Services Char Krause.
Deputy Calata, 35, served with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department for six-and-a-half years. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and served in the National Guard.
SRO Cappetto said being with the kids made Calata happy and when they would ask questions, he loved spending time teaching them and answering all their questions.
“He was a born teacher and had an incredible amount of patience with all people. He never wanted anyone to fail and would continue to work with each individual until they got it. Dom was a selfless person and always cared for and thought about others first,” said Cappetto.
Mt. View Elementary is dedicating the March Gladness Teddy Bears and Blankets project in honor of Deputy Calata. They will continue to collect new blankets and stuffed animals through March 29. Anyone who wishes to contribute can drop off the donations at the front office. All donations will be given to the Edgewood Police Department.
Deputy Calata worked with Mt. View Principal Judy Piger to plan the Teddy Bears and Blankets service project. “Deputy Calata has made an impact on the students and Mt. View community. Being at an outdoor assembly with students and interacting with them demonstrated to students his support for their efforts,” said Piger.
The teddy bear he is holding in the photo, taken during the assembly on March 11, has been given to his 4-year-old son.
From left: Deputy Dominque Calata and SRO Deputy Carly Cappetto at Mt. View Elementary on March 11.
