Wednesday afternoon 40-year-old Jason Galaviz knocked a woman down at a bus stop and stole her cellphone near S. 56th and Washington Street. He then ran towards his truck. In his truck was a dog and a woman. As he got to the truck, he turned on the two people following him and pulled out a handgun. An off duty police officer happened by the scene and identified himself. The woman got out of the truck. The police officer asked Jason to drop his gun. When he refused, the police officer shot him once. Jason got into his truck, driving it into a sign a short distance away. He was taken to an area hospital where he died shortly after arriving. The woman was questioned and released. The dog was taken by animal control.
The death of Jason Galaviz is the seventh Tacoma homicide this year and the second Tacoma Police involved homicide of this year.
When it comes to situations like this, it’s easy to write off the person who was shot as just another criminal. A person’s background can often add context to events, but even the most hardened criminal is more than the sum of their crimes.
Jason Galaviz had five children who lost a father. He had friends and relatives who care for him. He was despite anything else, a fellow human being. We can condemn his actions. We can even understand the actions of the police officer. But none of this relieves Jason of his basic humanity.
The death of a person is always a tragedy. Jason’s death will never be forgotten by his friends and family. The 23-year veteran of the Tacoma Police Department who shot him will never forget what he felt he had to do. Homicides are never forgotten by those directly connected to the victim.
As always, the comments section is reserved for friends and family of the victim to share happier memories of him. All comments are moderated.
Jack Cameron
tacomastories.com 
I appreciate your comments about Jason’s family. This is the first article I’ve seen that doesn’t portray him as a “monster”. You’ve also added some facts that weren’t mentioned before.Jason made a bad choice that cost him his life. Perhaps the girlfriend knows what the dispute with the other woman was that led to taking the cell phone.The chain of events just went from bad to worst…over a freakin cell phone! RIP cousin.
This is a good article. Having lost my own son a few years ago I know how hard it is, and will continue to be, on his mother especially. The Jason I knew was a sweet, kind, lovable young man. Although I haven’t seen him in years I will always remember him as such. My heart and thoughts are with you Jeannie.
Ex aunt, Mary Carlson
Gone to soon he was wanting to change so much. He will be missed greatly by all. Jason was giving & lovable I could go on. I was out of a job we prayed daily he went out of his way to help me find employment he had such a kind heart. He gave good advice and helped me cope with issues I was going through at the time. Rip mi amigo te extrano.
Jason was my client, and I met with him at my office just a few short months ago. He spoke to me about his children, and it was apparent to me that he cared about them. I will not forget him.
I wish we lived in a country without so many firearms, and in a country that was safe enough that nobody felt the need to carry one.
I just came across this article to day as I am trying to help do research on exactly what events lead up to this unbelieveable chain of events. Thank you Jake for finally reporting a story that doesn’t make my cousin be portrayed as this big criminal and horrible person. My cousin was hard working man, whom at one time was a husband and active Father for the last 18 years. Yes he was recently divorced but his love for his children never went away. We all know how messy divorces can be and how ugly they can get, don’t always believe what the media has to say. I have faith in God and the justice system that Jason Galaviz will be known in this event as the victim and not the other way around. There is much more to the story and there are always other events that lead up to events so before you judge let it be know YOU DONT KNOW the full story. love you primo forever and ever you are missed dearly..
This is the first article I have seen on Jason at all. Thank you for conveying that his family and friends have lost some one they love. My son is related to Jason as a cousin. I remember the boy I knew, wearing braces with out the wires and his hair in a mohawk. He had a great smile and quick wit. He had a tender heart. That is how I will always remember him.
Thank you all for sayng these great things about my cousin. I never met him but I’m so sad. Seeing you people still have faith in him really makes me feel better. God bless you all.