Deputy Hagop Jake Kuredjian was a 17-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department who was killed on August 31, 2001, during an armed confrontation in Stevenson Ranch, California. He was 40 years old. Kuredjian was struck in the head by a single bullet while taking cover behind a car as federal and local agents attempted to serve a search warrant at the home of James Allen Beck, a former Arcadia police officer and twice-convicted felon.

Beck opened fire from the second floor and continued to exchange gunfire with officers, at one point firing large-caliber rounds at helicopters. A tear gas canister fired by officers ignited a fire that consumed Beck’s house; Beck died in the blaze and the structure was too damaged for coroners to determine his precise cause of death. The operation drew sharp criticism from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and others who said the ATF had not adequately prepared for violent resistance or shared the full extent of the risks posed by Beck’s weapons cache.

Kuredjian’s death is remembered in memorials and ceremonies honoring his service. If anyone has information about the events that night or knew Deputy Kuredjian, please share what you can.