Memorial praises California sheriff’s deputy killed on duty

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — Heartbroken mourners on Wednesday praised a Northern California sheriff’s deputy who was killed in an ambush, calling him kind, unflappable and funny — the kind of officer that people want to keep a community safe.

Hundreds of people, many in blue and green law enforcement uniforms, gathered at a college football field in the small town of Aptos for a public memorial for Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department.

Gov. Gavin Newsom gave organizers special permission to hold the memorial despite shelter in place orders aimed at battling the coronavirus pandemic.

Gutzwiller, 38, left behind his wife, Faviola, who is expecting their second child this month. Their 2-year-old son Carter solemnly accepted his father’s badge from Sheriff Jim Hart during the memorial.

Hart said Gutzwiller went into law enforcement because he loved where he lived and wanted to keep it safe. His death came at a time of massive protests across the country against police brutality against African Americans.

“If we follow Damon’s example, the world will see the best of us,” Hart said. “This duty, this responsibility is foundational to our service and gives every one of us a deep sense of pride to know that we’re also working to protect the community that we love.”

Mark Ramos, a retired deputy fire chief in Santa Cruz, said Gutzwiller was like a son to him, a goodnatured man who was eager to meet the right woman and start a family. He was over the moon when he met his future wife, Ramos said.