EvCC statement about murder charges in the 1987 death of Everett firefighter Gary Parks

Press Release

Release Date: March 25, 2021

Contact: Katherine Schiffner, Director of Public Relations, 425-388-9554 office; kschiffner@everettcc.edu

Photos: A memorial for Everett Firefighter Gary Parks at EvCC's Firefighter Plaza on the north side of the college's Gary Parks Student Union building (top of page). 
Firefighters work to extinguish the blaze that destroyed EvCC's Cascade Hall (right, photo 1). Undated photo of Cascade Hall (right, photo 2).  

EVERETT, Wash. – 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 fire also irreparably damaged the college’s student services offices, cafeteria, art gallery, student government offices and the college’s former culinary program restaurant.

“The fire destroyed the heart of the campus and has affected the college for generations,” Willis said, noting that the college’s logo was inspired by the three spires of the Feather Star sculpture, one of the only parts of Cascade Hall to survive the fire.

“What was found in that day of loss was student, staff, faculty and community strength to rebuild what was lost and to remember with honor and sadness Everett Firefighter Gary Parks,” said Bob Drewel, who was president of EvCC at the time of the fire.

EvCC replaced Cascade Hall in 1988 with the Gary Parks Student Union Building and John Terrey Library Media Center. A permanent memorial to Parks stands north of the building that carries his name. A bronze firefighter’s helmet and jacket sit on a bench.

The Parks family and his fellow firefighters also created an EvCC Foundation scholarship in 2013 to honor Parks’ memory. The Gary Parks Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in EvCC’s Fire Science program. For more information about the scholarship, contact 425-388-9555.