Gary Parks

On Feb. 16, 1987, Everett Firefighter Gary Parks died fighting a three-alarm blaze at Everett Community College that destroyed EvCC’s library and student union. After 34 years of wondering what happened and why, the Parks family and EvCC students, faculty, and staff now have answers, thanks to investigators whose work led to murder charges being filed today. “As the daughter of a firefighter, my heart is with the Parks family, Everett firefighters and Everett police,” said EvCC President Daria Willis, whose father worked as a firefighter in Georgia. “Thank you to the Everett police, Everett Fire Department and all the investigators who worked on the case for never giving up.” The fire leveled Cascade Hall and caused more than $8 million in damages. The blaze consumed an estimated 48,000 books and 19,000 periodicals, including EvCC yearbooks and historical records.

The family of Everett firefighter Gary Parks and his fellow firefighters are creating an Everett Community College scholarship to honor Parks’ memory.Parks, an 18-year veteran of the Everett Fire Department, was killed in 1987 battling a fire that destroyed EvCC’s library and student union. The Gary Parks Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a student enrolled in EvCC’s Fire Science program. The Everett Community College Foundation is asking for donations to the scholarship fund. To give, contact EvCC Development Director Amy Wilcox at awilcox@everettcc.edu or 425-388-9250.