Northern California Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, 38, leaves behind a pregnant wife and child. Let that sink in for a moment.

Our police officers are sitting ducks and are targets for ambush. It’s difficult to imagine how cops bravely go out to try and protect the citizens of this country every day. They see it all and do everything to help keep people safe and protected. There are some bad apples, but what profession doesn’t have those?

Santa Cruz Sheriff Jim Hart had this to say about Sgt. Gutzwiller:

“He was a beloved figure here at the sheriff’s office. Damon showed up today to do his job, to keep this community safe, and his life was taken needlessly.”  

“We have lost another #Hero. Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, 38, was shot and killed, and two other officers wounded by a gunman. He was a 14-year veteran of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and leaves behind a pregnant wife and a young child. Pray for his family and @SantaCruzSO1″

 

The New York Post is reporting that the suspect, Steven Carrillo, 38, was shot during his arrest and was being treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The deputies responded to a 911 call around 1:30 p.m. about a suspicious van. The caller said there were guns and bomb-making devices inside. When deputies arrived, the van pulled away, and the deputies followed. The van went down a driveway at Carrillo’s home, and the deputies were ambushed by gunfire and explosives after getting out of their vehicle.

Gutzwiller was wounded and later died at a hospital. Another deputy was wounded by gunfire or shrapnel and struck by a vehicle as the suspect fled.

Carrillo will be charged with first-degree murder.

 

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.


We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.