Killer Of Dan Rocha Sentenced To Life In Prison Without The Possibility Of Parole

Dan Rocha was a father, husband, son, brother, uncle and friend, long before he ever was a police officer for the City of Everett, Washington.

On March 25th 2022 Dan Rocha was brutally murdered by a man with multiple felony convictions in the parking lot of a coffee shop in north Everett.

On April 3rd 2023 a Snohomish County Superior Court Jury found that man guilty of aggravated first-degree murder, (along with multiple felonies).

Today the man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In pronouncing sentencing, Judge Bruce Weiss told the convicted murderer that everything he saw, read and heard while conducting the trial pointed to Dan Rocha being a good man and officer. “He treated you professionally, respectfully and even in a folksy way,” Judge Weiss said. “There was no reason for you to make the decision you did.”

Dan Rocha’s sister told the court her brother was a good man, a decent man, someone who could make you laugh with just a giggle, the ultimate trip planner.

A long-time Starbuck’s barista told the court, “Dan made us feel safe in the store, he made us feel all safe and secure.”

The courtroom was filled with members of the Everett Police Department, the Mayor, members of Dan Rocha’s family. His wife and sons were there.

Dan Rocha was a father, husband, son, brother, uncle and friend, long before he ever was a police officer for the City of Everett, Washington.

He will be missed and remembered.

There have been several memorials in his honor. Some public, some private.

One honor currently being worked on and recently announced by Everett Police Chief Dan Templeman is to rename a section of Trojan Way near Everett Community College “Officer Dan Rocha Way”.

It’s a process which has to go through several levels of approval including that of the Everett City Council but work is underway to make it happen.

Yes at work Dan Rocha was a police officer for the City of Everett, Washington. But 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week Dan Rocha was a father, husband, son, brother, uncle and friend.