Hundreds of people and many officers from around the Yakima Valley and the state of Washington said goodbye to Sergeant Joe Deccio during a memorial service at the Yakima Valley Sundome on Thursday.

DECCIO WAS IN A MEETING AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Deccio died Tuesday, August 3 after a medical episode while at the Yakima Police Department. Doctors at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital where unable to save his life even though they reportedly tried for hours. Deccio's death was a complete surprise to so many who knew him as a man in great shape. His fellow officers say there was nothing he was doing that could have caused his medical problem that ultimately took is his life.

THE SERVICE STARTED WITH A PROCESSION AND BAGPIPES

The service started with a procession of police officers and family members from Terrace Heights to the Sundome. When the procession arrived at the Sundome it was lead  into the parking lot by a bagpiper and officers on horses including a riderless horse. A large American flag was stretched between fire trucks from the Yakima and  Toppenish Fire Departments hanging in front of the Yakima Valley Sundome. Officers from many different agencies from throughout the valley and the state lined the procession route as well.
It's a tradition that has happened for centuries officers showing support for other officers who die in the line of duty. Sergeant Joe Deccio is survived by a wife and two children.

Capt. Jay Seely says "the passing of Sgt. Deccio has shocked us all to the core. The law enforcement community is relatively small and he impacted many of us at the Yakima Police Department."

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