South Orange Co. Community College District Police Officer's Association

03/24/2024

Keeping it safe to learn.

02/02/2022

So sad…we are sending our best wishes to the families and friends of these heroic officers.

12/01/2021

https://www.police1.com/active-shooter/articles/police-school-resource-officer-disarmed-gunman-at-mich-high-school-AYGy3oOOy71kZtFV/

In the wake of another deadly school shooting, local law enforcement explains the importance of SROs

10/10/2021

October is not only Breast Cancer Awareness but also Domestic Violence Awareness month.

05/01/2021

Do you know me? Officers found an injured bird this afternoon and safely rescued it so it could receive medical treatment. Contact Mission Viejo Animal Services Center @ 949-470-3045

09/24/2020

MISSION VIEJO RESIDENTS near Saddleback College! A stray dog came running onto the campus from Marguerite Parkway across from the hospital. It looked brindle, lean, 40 pounds wearing a green bandana. There was a lot of backfiring from a car nearby and it could have been scared. Officers are looking for the dog. If anyone lost a dog in that area, it’s somewhere on campus. Please share!

07/25/2020

We are extremely saddened by the loss of this soon to be father and public servant. No words can do it justice.

Today we mourn with our LAPD family after the passing of Police Officer Valentin "Val" Martinez #38701. A 13 year veteran of the Department, Val lost his battle with COVID-19 today. Our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Rest In Peace, sir. 💙

06/21/2020

06/07/2020

So sad another police officer killed protecting the community.

On Saturday June 6th at around 1:30 p.m., we received a call about a suspicious van parked off the road near Jamison Creek, Boulder Creek. The caller saw guns and bomb making materials inside the van. When deputies arrived, the van was seen leaving the area and tried to follow it, finally finding it at a home on Waldeberg, Ben Lomond. As deputies began investigating, they were ambushed with gunfire and multiple improvised explosive devices. Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller was shot and taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Another deputy was either shot or struck by shrapnel and struck by a car as the suspect fled the property. We are hopeful the deputy will recover.

Calls of a carjacking nearby soon followed as officers from departments throughout Santa Cruz County began arriving to the area, several of whom were involved in the arrest of the suspect, Steven Carrillo, who was reportedly armed was shot during his arrest. The suspect survived and was treated and released from the hospital. He will be arrested for the murder of Sergeant Gutzwiller and other felonies.

Damon was a patrol supervisor and worked for the Sheriff’s Office since 2006. He is 38-years-old and married with children. Damon was a courageous, intelligent, sensitive and a caring man. “Words cannot express the pain we feel for Damon and his family,” Sheriff Jim Hart said, “He was the kind of person we all hope to be. Today, we lost a hero. We are grateful to have known him and we mourn with his family.”

The District Attorney’s Office is investigating the case. We will release more information about the incident early next week.

A memorial fund has also been set up to support Sgt. Gutzwiller’s family: https://porac.org/fundraiser/line-of-duty-death-damon-gutzwiller-eow-6-6-2020/

05/09/2020

SCPD looking good.

04/16/2020

Even when schools out Saddleback PD Officers are on the lookout. Today officers found a distressed turtle that had suffered minor injuries. Officers transported it to Mission Viejo Animal Services. While this turtle was ignoring the stay at home orders, we ask you to please continue to follow the stay at home orders and help keep everyone safe.