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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
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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.
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Damon is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Damon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Damon is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2020, 2 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 128th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 2020, 61 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2020, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Damon was 38. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Damon had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Damon was 38. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Damon had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Damon was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Damon had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 7.4% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Damon among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
