Roll of Honor
Michael A. Gray
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Michael Gray succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 10 days earlier while attempting to question a transient in front of a business at 5805 Highway 9 in Felton, California. As Deputy Gray stopped his patrol car, the man walked up to the driver's window and suddenly opened fire without warning, striking Deputy Gray in the abdomen several times. Despite being wounded, Deputy Gray was able to return as the man walked away. The suspect also shot and wounded a California Highway Patrol officer who responded to Deputy Gray's call for help. The suspect fled into Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, where his body was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound several days later. Deputy Gray was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and served with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office for eight years. He is survived by his wife, 6 year-old-son, mother, father, and brother, who was a Forest Service Ranger. He is buried at the Felton Cemetery in Felton, Santa Cruz County, California.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, 6 year-old-son, mother, father, and brother, who was a Forest Service Ranger.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-D6CE7F3B- 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
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Gray gave the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Cruz community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Michael A. Gray served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Michael A. Gray 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 Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael A. Gray's cause is highlighted.
How Michael A. Gray Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael A. Gray is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael A. Gray was killed by handgun; 9 mm.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
