Latest news with #Tacoma-based
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Tough and tender.' Longtime advocate for Pierce County homicide victims dies
Lew Cox, a longtime advocate for victims of violent crime who was a fixture in the courthouse in Pierce County, was recently involved in a car crash and died at 85. Cox was well known by prosecutors, law enforcement and the scores of families he helped to process grief and understand the inner workings of the judicial system, turning his own personal tragedy into a mission to assist others to heal. His 22-year-old daughter, Carmon, was murdered in Los Angeles in 1987 while Cox was in the Philippines performing work through a ministry he started, according to his wife, Suzanne, and an online letter Cox authored in 2008. Cox founded Tacoma-based Violent Crime Victims Services four years after his daughter was killed, giving families and friends of homicide victims a reputable advocate in someone intimately familiar with the experience of losing a loved one. He worked with over 1,000 families, including in high-profile cases such as the Green River killings, Suzanne Cox said in an interview. The organization, which she said essentially folded about two years ago after her husband left in 2021, offered crisis intervention, peer counseling, support groups and court guidance. While Lew Cox was dedicated to Pierce County, he helped families elsewhere, including outside the United States, according to his wife. 'I don't think anybody knows more about grief counseling than Lew,' Scott Bramhall, who became a client in 1992 after his wife's brother was murdered in Tacoma, said in an interview. Lew Cox died May 14, involved in a two-vehicle crash in the 7900 block of Valley Avenue Northwest near the Fife-Puyallup border. Suzanne Cox and Bramhall said Tuesday that all details were not yet known but that he may have suffered some type of medical event prior to the wreck and they were awaiting clarity from the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office. The driver of the other vehicle was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said. Lew Cox, a graduate of Stadium High School, was frequently found in the pages of The News Tribune. Violent Crime Victim Services was credited in 1997 with helping a mother who became a political activist after her 21-year-old son was slain. Cox provided his perspective on the relief that families felt being able to address 'Green River Killer' Gary Ridgway during Ridgway's sentencing hearing in 2003. He advocated for justice in 2004 as then-Pierce County Prosecutor Gerald Horne weighed whether to charge the Washington D.C.-area snipers with the 2002 slaying of a 21-year-old woman. In other instances, he acted as a family spokesperson to the press, defended a prosecutor's rationale for not seeking the death penalty for the murder of an armored guard, reflected on a week spent in New York following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and described the difficulty of enduring in the aftermath of heartbreak. 'Am I over this? No. You never get over it. There's a piece of your heart that's been ripped out,' he told a News Tribune reporter in 2004. 'I loved my daughter very much; losing her was the worst pain a father can experience. But I also knew I had to resume life.' Bramhall, a retired Puyallup police detective, said that Cox — who also served for roughly 25 years as a chaplain for the Des Moines Police Department — was an asset to prosecutors and law enforcement as a liaison between officials and crime victims' families. 'If you went to the courthouse, you would oftentimes find him there,' Bramhall said. Pierce County deputy prosecutor Lisa Wagner recalled Cox as omnipresent in courthouse hallways and 'really, such a huge help' because he had the ability to keep close relationships with victims' families even after they had left the courthouse — ties that prosecutors and Pierce County's victim advocates don't ordinarily maintain. Wagner, who met Cox three decades ago through her work, said he had a keen understanding of the legal system and willingly re-lived his own trauma for the sake of providing 'incalculable' aid to others. Cox was genuinely kind and caring, Wagner said in an interview. 'You don't often run into people like that in my business,' she said. Prosecuting Attorney Mary Robnett first crossed paths with Cox in the mid-1990s, and he was well known to the attorneys and advocates in the Prosecutor's Office, she told The News Tribune. He had the air of a religious leader and was soft-spoken, warm and approachable, according to Robnett, who said it was comforting to have him around. Her office would pick up his phone calls or set aside time to meet with him, and he often showed up to court hearings with family members of victims, she said. Robnett said she remembers Cox sitting in court, attending community events and appearing at law enforcement funerals. Ultimately, he wanted to be a resource for victims' families. 'He did that and he did that really well,' she said. Suzanne Cox described her husband as 'a tough and tender kind of guy' who wasn't known to dwell. He had experienced more than one tragedy in his life. Shortly after the murder of his daughter — born from a previous marriage — his wife died, too, she said. He later lost a son. 'I just always was kind of amazed by his resiliency,' she said. Suzanne and Lew Cox married in 1991. He was a published author, co-writing a book titled, 'Coping with Traumatic Death: Homicide,' that sought to shepherd grieving families through loss. He also served on a Washington state task force related to criminal sentencing as a strong proponent of not lowering punishment, testified in front of state lawmakers and took the stand in a civil court case, Suzanne Cox said. He trained therapists and chaplains, and worked as a consultant after leaving Violent Crime Victim Services. 'He cared for people. He cared for everybody that he worked with,' she said. 'He just had a real heart for victims and he had a heart to see that things would be better for them in terms of the laws.' Lew Cox also enjoyed outside interests, namely trains, planes and automobiles, and he was a commercially rated pilot, according to his wife and Bramhall. He was an avid tennis player and church-goer who liked to dress up in suits. He also wasn't afraid to speak his mind, including when his wife cooked too much pasta or neighborhood kids were too loud. In his youth, Lew Cox was an altar boy and later worked in a shoe store, drove trucks hauling gasoline, sugar or honey, and opened a health food shop in Federal Way that was eventually bought and turned into Marlene's Market & Deli, according to Suzanne Cox. In the last year of his life, Lew Cox had suffered some health issues but none that were debilitating, his wife said. The day before he died, the couple had learned that he had a mass on his bladder but it wasn't known if it was cancerous. He died on his wife's birthday, just four days before their 34th wedding anniversary. 'Lew was very dedicated,' Bramhall said. 'He would sink his teeth into a project and not let go. 'And his teeth were sunk into caring for the people who were facing a grief that no one else could help them with.' Lew Cox is survived by his wife, two daughters, two granddaughters and one great-grandson. His family is planning on holding a funeral service in August in Federal Way, where he and his wife lived.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘Aunty Lynn is coming home.' Pierce County woman detained by ICE to be released
A Tacoma-based immigration judge ruled Thursday that a Pierce County resident who had been detained by ICE after living in the United States as a permanent resident for 50 years should not be deported to the Philippines. Relatives of 64-year-old Lewelyn Dixon cried and clapped after Judge Tammy Fitting made that ruling in a courtroom within the Northwest ICE Processing Center, where Dixon has been detained for months. Dixon, wearing a yellow and white uniform, told reporters her time in the facility had been 'hell,' before she went back into the bowels of the federal immigration lockup to be processed and released. Outside, one of Dixon's nieces, Melania Madriaga, said Thursday's hearing was nerve wracking, and hearing the judge rule that Dixon could remain in the United States made her emotional. 'It's painful, the fact that we have to go through this,' Madriaga said. Madriaga traveled from her home in Hawaii to be at her aunt's immigration hearing. She and about 15 other people were in attendance. Outside the facility, more than a hundred people rallied to support them. Madriaga said she'd asked organizers to play music by Bruno Mars when Dixon was released. She said her aunt bought concert tickets for this week's show in Las Vegas, Nevada before she was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. After the hearing, a person told the crowd of people gathered in the street, 'Aunty Lynn is coming home.' The news drew cheers and applause. Some people beat on drums or waved flags. Dixon was expected to be released by 5 p.m. Dixon, a lab technician for the University of Washington, was detained at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after she returned to the United States on Feb. 28 from a trip to the Philippines. Her attorney, Benjamin Osorio, has said she was detained due to a nonviolent criminal conviction from 2001. Dixon immigrated to Hawaii from the Philippines at age 14 and moved to Washington in the 1990s, according to family members. She's been employed with UW Medicine since 2015.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Tacoma USPS supervisor took gift cards, cash from mail. Here's her sentence
A former supervisor at a U.S. Postal Service distribution center in Tacoma who pleaded guilty to opening mail to steal gift cards and cash in late 2023 has been sentenced to a year of probation. Faliu Titialii, 53, admitted to the misdemeanor of delaying or destroying mail earlier this year in U.S. District Court for the District of Western Washington. Federal prosecutors recommended the sentence that Tacoma-based Judge David W. Christel imposed Tuesday, noting that her criminal conduct occurred over a relatively short time and that the amount she stole was low compared to other federal crimes. Titialii was ordered to pay restitution to 59 people, according to court documents, amounting to $2,834.63. Some of the victims were coupled together. The individual thefts ranged from as little as $4 to as much as $200. She also is expected to complete 160 hours of community service. The government's probation office said Titialii breached the public's trust in the USPS to deliver mail without tampering with its contents. Prosecutors noted that Titialii had no criminal history, and she reported to the probation office that she was going through a stressful time in her personal and professional life in fall 2023. Their sentencing recommendation took that into account along with Titialii's acceptance of responsibility. Prosecutors said she admitted to her conduct 'fairly quickly' when confronted by the USPS Office of the Inspector General. Titialii was placed on leave from her position as supervisor of distribution operations at the Tacoma Processing and Distribution Center on Oct. 27, 2023 when USPS agents interviewed her. An investigation determined Titialii was working on the days that tampered mail was found in a female restroom. She resigned in December 2023 after working for the USPS for about nine years. A federal public defender representing Titialii, Lindsay McCaslin, wrote in a sentencing memorandum that her client's conduct in the case was highly out of character and that her actions effectively destroyed her career. The terms of her plea agreement included that she would not apply for future employment with the USPS. 'Ms. Titialii knows that none of the circumstances in her life excuse the choices she made,' McCaslin wrote. 'She is embarrassed by her behavior and wishes she could undo it. This is not how she was raised, and those actions don't align with her values. She wishes she could apologize to everyone affected.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Seattle Kraken helps Harts Plumbers, Electricians and HVAC Technicians raise nearly $13K for Seattle Children's Hospital
The Tacoma-based home service company says that giving back to the community is its mission and encourages others to donate to the hospital's uncompensated care fund TACOMA, Wash., May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Harts Plumbers, Electricians and HVAC Technicians, a Tacoma-area top-rated home services provider founded in 2013, is pleased to announce it has raised nearly $13,000 for Seattle Children's Hospital Uncompensated Care Fund through a collaboration with the Seattle Kraken, a professional National Hockey League team, and iHeartRadio, a division of iHeartMedia Inc. "We are honored that we can provide this donation to ensure that families whose children need the hospital's services can focus on caring for their loved ones instead of worrying about the costs of care," said Dan Hartsough, co-owner of Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Technicians. "At Harts, it's our priority to give back to the community. By spotlighting a popular sports team in our donation efforts, we are also able to increase awareness about the Uncompensated Care Fund and its goal to care for this area's children regardless of their families' ability to pay." As part of the collaboration, Harts donates $50 for every goal scored by the Kraken. During the 2024-25 season, the Kraken scored 253 goals, resulting in a total donation of $12,650. In 2024, Seattle Children's Hospital provided $310.6 million in uncompensated care. The Uncompensated Care Fund allows the hospital to recover some of those costs through private donations. In addition to its fundraising efforts with the Kraken, Harts has also developed an independent $50/$50 offer to encourage its customers to join them in supporting Seattle Children's Hospital. When a customer donates a minimum of $50 to the fund during a service call, they receive a $50 discount on that day's services. "This encourages our customers to donate all year long," Hartsough said. "We enjoy working with the community to help families get the care or services they need. Opportunities like this help us create a bond with the community we serve." Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Technicians provides residential plumbing services, top-notch electrical services, and outstanding heating and cooling services throughout the greater Seattle, Tacoma and now Tukwila areas. Earlier this year, the company was named to the Inc. 5000, a ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America, for the fifth time. To learn more about Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC and the services it offers, call them at (253) 470-8766. This month, the company has published an electrical safety and inspection guide for homeowners on their blog at About Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Technicians Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Technicians was founded in Tacoma in 2013 by co-owners Richard Hart and Dan Hartsough. Home of the Forever Warranty, Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Technicians offers residential plumbing, HVAC and electrical solutions and has a 4.9/5 rating on Google. Guided by its motto, We Care More, the company is committed to incorporating a caring attitude into every aspect of the business. Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Technicians earned the Silver Award for Electrical Service in the 2023 Best of the PNW and was named to the Inc. 5000 in 2024. For more information, call (253) 470-8766 or visit MEDIA CONTACT:Heather RipleyRipley PR865-977-1973hripley@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Harts Plumbers, Electricians and HVAC Technicians Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Seattle Kraken helps Harts Plumbers, Electricians and HVAC Technicians raise nearly $13K for Seattle Children's Hospital
The Tacoma-based home service company says that giving back to the community is its mission and encourages others to donate to the hospital's uncompensated care fund TACOMA, Wash., May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Harts Plumbers, Electricians and HVAC Technicians, a Tacoma-area top-rated home services provider founded in 2013, is pleased to announce it has raised nearly $13,000 for Seattle Children's Hospital Uncompensated Care Fund through a collaboration with the Seattle Kraken, a professional National Hockey League team, and iHeartRadio, a division of iHeartMedia Inc. "We are honored that we can provide this donation to ensure that families whose children need the hospital's services can focus on caring for their loved ones instead of worrying about the costs of care," said Dan Hartsough, co-owner of Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Technicians. "At Harts, it's our priority to give back to the community. By spotlighting a popular sports team in our donation efforts, we are also able to increase awareness about the Uncompensated Care Fund and its goal to care for this area's children regardless of their families' ability to pay." As part of the collaboration, Harts donates $50 for every goal scored by the Kraken. During the 2024-25 season, the Kraken scored 253 goals, resulting in a total donation of $12,650. In 2024, Seattle Children's Hospital provided $310.6 million in uncompensated care. The Uncompensated Care Fund allows the hospital to recover some of those costs through private donations. In addition to its fundraising efforts with the Kraken, Harts has also developed an independent $50/$50 offer to encourage its customers to join them in supporting Seattle Children's Hospital. When a customer donates a minimum of $50 to the fund during a service call, they receive a $50 discount on that day's services. "This encourages our customers to donate all year long," Hartsough said. "We enjoy working with the community to help families get the care or services they need. Opportunities like this help us create a bond with the community we serve." Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Technicians provides residential plumbing services, top-notch electrical services, and outstanding heating and cooling services throughout the greater Seattle, Tacoma and now Tukwila areas. Earlier this year, the company was named to the Inc. 5000, a ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America, for the fifth time. To learn more about Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC and the services it offers, call them at (253) 470-8766. This month, the company has published an electrical safety and inspection guide for homeowners on their blog at About Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Technicians Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Technicians was founded in Tacoma in 2013 by co-owners Richard Hart and Dan Hartsough. Home of the Forever Warranty, Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Technicians offers residential plumbing, HVAC and electrical solutions and has a 4.9/5 rating on Google. Guided by its motto, We Care More, the company is committed to incorporating a caring attitude into every aspect of the business. Harts Plumbers, Electricians & HVAC Technicians earned the Silver Award for Electrical Service in the 2023 Best of the PNW and was named to the Inc. 5000 in 2024. For more information, call (253) 470-8766 or visit MEDIA CONTACT:Heather RipleyRipley PR865-977-1973hripley@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Harts Plumbers, Electricians and HVAC Technicians Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
