A sergeant shot and killed by a suspect after a chase in Yucca Valley on Memorial Day was a 17-year veteran of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department described by colleagues as “a dedicated sergeant and a wonderful partner.”
The suspect, whom authorities have not yet identified, was fatally shot by other deputies, according to Sheriff John McMahon. Deputies found a handgun at the scene.
Sgt. Dominic Vaca, 43, who worked at the Morongo Basin station, later died at a hospital, the sheriff said on Monday, May 31.
“Our prayers are with him and his family as we mourn this difficult time,” McMahon said.
A procession for a true hero—
We appreciate the outpouring of support and prayers for Sergeant Vaca, his family, and our department. pic.twitter.com/3IDDbam2Dp
— San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) June 1, 2021
“Dominic was a dedicated sergeant and a wonderful partner,” Sgt. Grant Ward, president of the Sheriff’s Employees Benefit Association, said in a statement. “He cared deeply about his work and the people he served. The outpouring of love and support from the surrounding communities has been truly moving.”
The union represents about 3,800 employees that include deputies, sergeants, lieutenants, district attorney investigators, coroner investigators, probation corrections officers and supervisors etc.
“Losing a colleague, a friend, a hero is heartbreaking. It takes the breath from your lungs and the words from your mouth. It swells your heart with empathy for his family and consolation for his partners,” the union statement said. “We mourn the tragic loss of Sgt. Dominic Vaca, who was murdered while protecting his community. In a time when words are never enough, we offer our unflinching support and unending prayers.”
The association set up a memorial fund in Vaca’s name, Lolita Harper, executive director of SEBA, said.
She said their hearts go out to Vaca’s loved ones, the deputies who were there and his colleagues.
On Monday, deputies from the Morongo Basin station were doing extra patrols for off-highway vehicle violations at 12:33 p.m. when they saw a man riding a motorcycle without a license plate and tried to pull him over near Paxton Road and Imperial Drive, according to McMahon and a sheriff’s statement.
The motorcyclist took off. He later abandoned the motorcycle in the area of Dumosa Avenue and Sunnyslope Drive and ran into the desert, the statement said.
Deputies found the motorcycle, and as they approached it, “they attempted to locate the rider. And the rider started firing at the responding deputies,” McMahon said.
Vaca was hit. Other deputies looked and found the suspect who fired at them, McMahon said. The deputies shot back.
"colleague" - Google News
June 02, 2021 at 07:48PM
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California cop killed by suspect after chase described as dedicated, cherished colleague - East Bay Times
"colleague" - Google News
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