Police chief sought help for stress of divorce

Tacoma Police Chief David Brame reportedly sought counseling to deal with the stress of his impending divorce before killing himself and critically injuring his wife, a city official said.

Brame, 44, shot his wife, Crystal Brame, 35, in the head Saturday afternoon at a Gig Harbor strip mall, then turned the gun on himself.

Tacoma City Manager Ray Corpuz said Brame, who had sought help for himself, was concerned about how emotional stress can affect police officers and had taken steps to train himself and his staff about coping techniques.

Catherine Woodard, assistant chief for criminal investigations, has been named acting police chief.