Deputy Jose Antonio Tony Diaz, 37, was killed on June 15, 2008, after a high-speed pursuit in Yolo County, California. The chase involved a suspect reported to be driving under the influence with a child in the vehicle. The pursuit ended near County Road 6 and County Road 99W in Dunnigan when the suspect, Marco Antonio Topete, exited his vehicle and opened fire on Deputy Diaz. Diaz was struck in the shoulder, called for backup, and later died that night at Woodland Memorial Hospital.

Topete fled on foot, leaving an infant in the car, and was captured three days later by the Yolo County SWAT team. He was charged with first-degree murder and other offenses; in October 2011 he was convicted on multiple charges, including the murder of a peace officer, and the jury recommended the death penalty, which a judge upheld in February 2012. Deputy Diaz was remembered as a father, dance teacher, and soccer coach; he received the Sheriff’s Department gold medal of valor posthumously and the Dunnigan rest area on Interstate 5 was renamed in his honor.

If anyone knew Deputy Diaz, his work, or the events leading up to that night, please share what you remember.