For almost a minute after the brassy notes of taps had ended, no sound save rustling leaves and muted sniffles could be heard amid the crowd of almost 100 mourners.

A Friday night candlelight vigil for Adam Gutierrez, 30, who was slain last week while walking his dog, drew friends, neighbors, activists, City Council members and police officers from across a Federal Way community that continues reeling from a week of violence that saw three murders in one 48-hour span.

The focus of the event was Gutierrez’s family, including his parents, aunts and uncles, siblings, and the cousins who were so close to him that they referred to him as their brother.

“Adam was my cousin, and I loved him so much,” Clara Krahner said through tears, addressing her comments to her cousin’s killer. “I hope you know how many people you crushed.”

Other family members remembered the former Navy veteran as a humble, generous man.

“He was fiercely loyal,” said Gutierrez’s sister Lauren Gutierrez. “Every time we went out – I’d just turned 21 – he’d say, ‘I’m only buying the first one. You have a job, buy your own. I’m only buying the first.’ But then he’d buy them all anyway. You couldn’t stop him.”

Still others, like Gutierrez’s uncle Paul Krahner, took to quiet contemplation. Krahner was called upon to deliver a prayer at the vigil, and he walked to the center of the crowd with a flameless candle.

“It burned, but it went out,” Krahner said. “Adam’s personal candle went out. But with everyone here, I think, we can keep that candle burning.”

“Adam is our brother,” Lauren Gutierrez said. “And he’ll always be our brother.”

Anyone with information on any of last week’s murders is encouraged to contact the Federal Way Police Department at 253-835-2121 or on the department’s anonymous tip website, www.safecityfw.com. Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound (1-800-222-8477) is also accepting anonymous tips and is offering a $16,000 reward for information that leads to arrests.