Key Points
- The Yakima Police Department (YPD) has unveiled a memorial garden located outside the station to honour the late Sergeant Joe Deccio.
- The tribute occurs five years after the passing of Sgt. Deccio, who died unexpectedly while on duty on August 3, 2021.
- Sergeant Ilifonso Garcia, a long-time friend and colleague of 25 years who served with Deccio overseas, paid tribute to him as “the definition of a servant leader.”
- To further commemorate his legacy, the YPD collaborated with Valley Brewing Company to produce a special memorial beer available to the public.
- Sgt. Deccio, who served 15 years with the Yakima Police Department, was the first officer in the department’s 135-year history to die while on duty.
Yakima (Evening Washington News) August 8, 2026 – The Yakima Police Department has officially commemorated the life and service of Sergeant Joe Deccio by unveiling a dedicated memorial garden on the premises of the police station. The solemn event, held five years after his unexpected passing, brought together fellow officers, family, and members of the community to reflect on the legacy of a man described by those who knew him best as an embodiment of selfless leadership and community dedication.
Who was Sergeant Joe Deccio and what was his contribution to the force?
Sgt. Joe Deccio was a fixture of the Yakima Police Department for 15 years, building a reputation for excellence and reliability. As reported by the official Yakima Police Department archives, his extensive resume included roles as a patrol officer, Field Training Officer, SWAT-Sniper Team Leader, and Field Training Coordinator. At the time of his death, he was serving as a Detective Sergeant within the Property Crimes Unit.
His commitment to service, however, extended beyond the local police department. Before joining the YPD in 2006, Sgt. Deccio served his country as a 19 Delta Cavalry Scout in the Army National Guard, a role that included a deployment to Iraq.
“He was an outstanding police officer and friend,”
noted the Yakima Police Department in their public memorial. Colleagues often recall his deep sense of humour and his dedication to his “YPD family,” particularly the way he coached and supported the detectives working under him in the Property Crimes Unit.
How did his colleagues honour his memory during the garden unveiling?
During the unveiling of the memorial garden, the emotional weight of the loss was palpable. Sergeant Ilifonso Garcia, who shared a quarter-century of history with Deccio—spanning their time serving overseas together to their careers in local law enforcement—offered a poignant tribute.
As reported by NBC Right Now, Sergeant Garcia described his late friend as “the definition of a servant leader” who “served his community and this department with dignity and honour.” The garden is intended to be a place of quiet reflection for officers and the public alike, providing a tangible space to remember a man who was deeply integrated into the fabric of the Yakima Valley.
The department’s efforts to memorialise Sgt. Deccio have not been limited to the physical garden. In a unique gesture of community solidarity, the YPD partnered with the Valley Brewing Company to create a special beer in his honour, which was made available to the public on the day of the unveiling. This collaborative tribute reflects the deep ties Deccio had within the local community.
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What were the circumstances surrounding the death of Sgt. Joe Deccio?
The loss of Sergeant Deccio in 2021 marked a dark milestone for the Yakima Police Department. On August 3, 2021, while on duty at the Richard A. Zais Law & Justice Center, Sgt. Deccio suffered a sudden and significant medical emergency. Despite being transported to the Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and receiving intensive lifesaving efforts for several hours, he passed away at the age of 38.
The department was profoundly affected by the tragedy. As noted by Yakima Police Chief Matt Murray in his remarks at the time,
“In our 135-year history, Yakima has never had an officer die on duty. Unfortunately, on August 3, 2021, Sergeant Joe Deccio died unexpectedly while at work.”
The community response was immediate and overwhelming. In the wake of his passing, the department established the Sgt. Joe Deccio Memorial Fund through HomeStreet Bank to support his wife, Amber, and their two young sons, Tyson and Trent. The outpouring of support included countless letters, cards, and donations, highlighting the impact Sgt. Deccio had on those around him.
How does the community continue to honour Sgt. Deccio today?
The memorial garden is the latest in a series of ongoing efforts to ensure that the sacrifice and service of Sgt. Deccio are not forgotten. The Yakima Police Patrolmen’s Association continues to host the annual Joe Deccio Golf Tournament, which serves as both a fundraiser and a way to bring people together to celebrate his life.
The 2026 tournament, scheduled for later this month at the Elks Golf Course in Selah, continues the tradition of commemoration. According to the association, the registration fee of $681.70 was specifically chosen to commemorate Sgt. Deccio’s badge number, 6817. This, alongside the new memorial garden, serves as a testament to a career defined by, as his peers describe it, an unyielding commitment to the people of Yakima.
As the department and the community mark this five-year anniversary, the focus remains on the family he left behind and the standard of service he set for those who continue to wear the badge. Through the garden and continued community engagement, the Yakima Police Department ensures that Sgt. Deccio remains a part of their daily life, just as he was when he greeted his colleagues with a “morning Chief” every day.
