Decades later, family of firefighter killed in arson still awaits justice
EVERETT, Wash. -- It was Feb. 16, 1987 that an Everett fireman died fighting an arson. The case has never been solved, but the community won't forget.
For Erin VanRy, her family and friends, the grief is still fresh even though it's been 25 years since her dad, Gary Parks, died in the line of duty in 1987.
"My mom's been through a lot of loss and for the first time in 25 years, she heard his voice when we played videotapes at my house," VanRy said.
Images the family shared about a dedicated public servant with sense of humor who loved being in and on the water.
"Every time I see a sailboat, I think of him," said Bob Downey, Assistant Fire Chief with the Everett Fire Department.
Downey knew Parks well. He remembers the night the massive fire at the Everett Community College library grew quickly, forcing everyone to retreat.
"And that's when one of the firefighters who was in trouble noticed that Gary was protecting their exit," Downey said.
By helping others get out, Parks didn't make it.
"I was the paramedic who actually had to work on Gary to try and resuscitate him and that was a tough moment for us," Downs said.
A still-painful moment because the fire was intentionally set.
"We just don't have closure. That door is still open waiting to be closed," Downs said.
Yet investigators have never been able to catch the person who set the fire. Today, two detectives still sift through the hundreds of pages that make up the arson case file.
"They are anxious to get this case resolved, to identify a suspect, to give closure to the family," said Sgt. Robert Goetz with Everett Police.
Everett investigators say they do have "persons of interest" in the case, but no suspects. Meanwhile, the family waits for justice and closure.
"I want to find a resolution to the unsolved case," VanRy said.
If you have information on the case, you're asked to please call the Everett Police Department.
For Erin VanRy, her family and friends, the grief is still fresh even though it's been 25 years since her dad, Gary Parks, died in the line of duty in 1987.
"My mom's been through a lot of loss and for the first time in 25 years, she heard his voice when we played videotapes at my house," VanRy said.
Images the family shared about a dedicated public servant with sense of humor who loved being in and on the water.
"Every time I see a sailboat, I think of him," said Bob Downey, Assistant Fire Chief with the Everett Fire Department.
Downey knew Parks well. He remembers the night the massive fire at the Everett Community College library grew quickly, forcing everyone to retreat.
"And that's when one of the firefighters who was in trouble noticed that Gary was protecting their exit," Downey said.
By helping others get out, Parks didn't make it.
"I was the paramedic who actually had to work on Gary to try and resuscitate him and that was a tough moment for us," Downs said.
A still-painful moment because the fire was intentionally set.
"We just don't have closure. That door is still open waiting to be closed," Downs said.
Yet investigators have never been able to catch the person who set the fire. Today, two detectives still sift through the hundreds of pages that make up the arson case file.
"They are anxious to get this case resolved, to identify a suspect, to give closure to the family," said Sgt. Robert Goetz with Everett Police.
Everett investigators say they do have "persons of interest" in the case, but no suspects. Meanwhile, the family waits for justice and closure.
"I want to find a resolution to the unsolved case," VanRy said.
If you have information on the case, you're asked to please call the Everett Police Department.
Learn about changes coming to commenting