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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joe Cisneros was shot and killed while investigating a van without license plates parked off a rural county road. He was en route to back up another officer on a van littering call. He saw the van parked, backed up, on a farmer's access road off Cherry Glen Road and radioed that he was out at the van. As Deputy Cisneros got out of his patrol car, a male suspect ran to the front of the van armed with a shotgun and tried to order Deputy Cisneros to drop his weapon. Deputy Cisneros saw that a second suspect had started the van and told the first suspect that his partner was going to run him over. While the first suspect looked back at the van, Deputy Cisneros tried to back up to his vehicle, but before he reached it, the first suspect shot him, killing him instantly. Because other officers were in the area, Deputy Cisneros' body was found almost immediately. A pursuit ensued on Cherry Glen Road, with the suspects shooting out the tire of a California Highway Patrol officer's vehicle. After more agencies and the California Highway Patrol helicopter became involved in the pursuit, the suspects realized there was no escape, pulled into an orchard, and surrendered. The van had been taken at gunpoint earlier in the day in San Pablo, California, but the dispatch center did not have that information. It is likely that because the notice had been issued during a shift change for the dispatch center, it was not heard. The shooting suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life imprisonment. The man committed suicide in 1997 while at Folsom Prison. Deputy Cisneros was the original deputy who investigated a murder that would go unsolved for 42 years. With his investigative details and DNA evidence, the case was solved. Deputy Cisneros had served with the Solano County Sheriff's Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Cisneros gave the Solano County Sheriff's Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fairfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cisneros.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Solano County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Jose is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Jose is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jose is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1985, 6 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1985, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1985, 125 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jose was 40. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Jose had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jose was 40. 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. Jose had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jose was 40. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jose had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 15.8%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Solano County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% 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 27,551 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Solano County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Jose among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Solano County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
