A Northern California sheriff’s deputy was killed and two law enforcement officers were injured in an ambush of gunfire and explosives while they tried to chase down a suspect.
Fox News reported that Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart has confirmed that Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, 38, was shot and killed in Ben Lomond, an unincorporated area near Santa Cruz. He added that another deputy was also injured, and a third officer from the California Highway Patrol was shot in the hand. Hart described Gutzwiller as “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,” a visibly emotional Hart said.
Our hearts are heavy. You will never be forgotten Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller. pic.twitter.com/3c3SptX45R
— Santa Cruz SO (@SantaCruzSO1) June 7, 2020
Hart went on to tell FOX 2 of the San Francisco Bay Area that Gutzwiller was a married father of one with a second baby on the way.
“Words cannot express the pain we feel for Damon and his family,” Hart told the station. “Today, we lost a hero.”
The suspect has been identified as Steven Carrillo, 38, who was shot during his capture and is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Hart said police were called at 1:30pm after a caller said a suspicious van had guns and bomb-making devices inside.
When police arrived on the scene, the van drove away, so they followed it.
As the van went down a driveway at Carrillo’s home, the police officers were suddenly ambushed by gunfire and explosives as they got out of their vehicle.
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Gutzwiller was unfortunately hit by the gunfire, and he later passed away at the hospital.
“There’s a lot that we don’t know at this point. It’s still a very fluid situation,” Hart said, according to ABC News.
“I ask that the community be patient as we go through this investigation and the grieving process.”
“In my 32-year career, this is my worst day I’ve ever experienced,” Hart added. “Today we lost one of our own and he was a true hero.”
Please join us in saying a prayer for Gutzwiller’s family.
This piece originally appeared in UpliftingToday.com and is used by permission.
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