Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller was shot and killed as he and other deputies investigated reports of a suspicious vehicle.
Deputies had originally responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle that contained guns and bomb-making materials in the area of Jamison Creek in Boulder Creek. As they arrived at the scene, they observed the van driving away and followed it to a home on Waldeberg Drive in the Ben Lomond area. The vehicle pulled into the driveway, and the occupant immediately ambushed the deputies with firearms and improvised explosive devices.
Sergeant Gutzwiller was killed, and the other deputy was wounded. The subject then carjacked a vehicle and fled the area. He was located a short time later and engaged officers in another shootout. A California Highway Patrol officer and the subject were both wounded before the man was taken into custody.
On August 2022, the subject was sentenced to life in prison without the option of parole or appeal after accepting a plea agreement.
Sergeant Gutzwiller had served with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his expectant wife and young child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-5B4A1782- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Gutzwiller gave the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Cruz community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Gutzwiller.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Damon Christopher Gutzwiller 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. Damon Christopher Gutzwiller's cause is highlighted.
How Damon Christopher Gutzwiller Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and wounded
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Damon Christopher Gutzwiller is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Damon Christopher Gutzwiller was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
