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Incident
Deputy Frank Trejo was shot and killed investigating a suspicious vehicle parked at a closed business. At approximately 11:30 p.m. Deputy Trejo saw an occupied pickup in the Santa Rosa Saddlery parking lot on Highway 12, west of Santa Rosa. The business was closed, so Deputy Trejo stopped to investigate. In the vehicle was a recently paroled inmate from Pelican Bay State Prison with an extensive criminal history, and also a member of the infamous prison gang the Aryan Brotherhood, and a female companion. The two occupants were casing a tavern next to the closed business, intending on committing an armed robbery. As Deputy Trejo was walking toward the suspect vehicle, the paroled inmate pulled out a sawed-off shotgun and confronted him at the rear of the pickup. He shot Deputy Trejo in the face with the shotgun, killing him instantly, then took Deputy Trejo's gun and fled the area. The two then forced their way into a house a short distance away and took a family hostage. The Sheriff's Department was notified of the hostage situation and quickly set up a perimeter around the house with patrol deputies and the S.W.A.T. Team. After several hours, both suspects surrendered to deputies. The shooter was convicted of first-degree murder and sent to death row at San Quentin State Prison to await execution. The companion was convicted of numerous felony offenses associated with this incident and sentenced to 14 years in State prison. Deputy Trejo's funeral was attended by more than 2,400 officers and citizens. Deputy Trejo was a 35-year law enforcement veteran and had served with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office for 15 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter. Deputy Trejo was awarded a posthumous Gold Medal of Valor for his sacrifice.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
35 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Trejo gave the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office 35 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Rosa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Trejo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Frank is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1995, 12 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1995, 96 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 58th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1995, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 58. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Frank had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 58. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 58. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 7 deaths at Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 3.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Sonoma County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
