Duty Death: Dominic Vaca - [San Bernadino County]
End of Service: 31/05/2021
By Kate Feldman
New York Daily News
SAN BERNADINO COUNTY, Calif. — A California sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot Monday while trying to pull over a motorcycle with no license plate.
Sergeant Dominic Vaca, a 17-year veteran of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office, attempted the traffic stop around 12:30 p.m. Monday after spotting the motorcycle in Yucca Valley, according to officials.
Instead, the suspect fled and led Vaca and other deputies on a chase before hopping off the bike and continuing by foot into the desert.
During the search, the suspect began firing at the pursuing deputies, hitting Vaca, 43.
Vaca was airlifted to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries “despite the heroic live-saving measures of the staff at the hospital,” according to San Bernardino Sheriff John McMahon.
The deputies and suspect exchanged gunfire and the suspect was killed. A handgun was found at the scene.
The suspect has not been publicly identified.
“On behalf of the entire Yucca Valley Town Council and Town staff, our thoughts and prayers go out to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy and his family,” Yucca Valley Mayor Merl Abel said in a statement. “We ask for the community’s support during this difficult time.”
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