Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-6030762B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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
Deputy Frank V. Trejo is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank V. Trejo's cause is highlighted.
How Frank V. Trejo Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank V. Trejo is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank V. Trejo was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Sonoma County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
