Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Gil Vega and Police Officer Lesley Zerebny were shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call in the 2700 block of Cypress Road shortly after noon.
A family member from the home had gone to a neighbor's house and stated that his son was armed and wanted to shoot police officers. Responding officers, including Officer Vega and Officer Zerebny, arrived at the scene several minutes later. The man inside the home opened fire on them as they approached the front door, killing Officer Vega and Officer Zerebny and wounding a third officer.
The man then barricaded himself inside the home for approximately 12 hours. He was taken into custody by members of the Riverside County Sheriff's Office SWAT team. The subject was an admitted gang member.
In May 2019 the subject was convicted of capital murder with the jury recommending the death penalty.
Officer Vega had served with the Palm Springs Police Department for 37 years and was scheduled to retire only two months after his murder. He was working an overtime shift on the day he was murdered.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-1C11075B- 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
37 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Vega gave the Palm Springs Police Department 37 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Palm Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Vega.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Jose Gilbert Vega 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 Palm Springs Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jose Gilbert Vega's cause is highlighted.
How Jose Gilbert Vega Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted of capital murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jose Gilbert Vega is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jose Gilbert Vega was killed by rifle; ar-15.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Palm Springs Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
