Senior Investigator Laura J. Cleaves
Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office
California
End of Watch: Thursday, May 1, 2008

Biographical Info
Age: 53
Tour of Duty: 32 years
Badge Number: DA-13

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: Thursday, May 1, 2008
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Apprehended

Senior Investigator Laura Cleaves was killed when her department vehicle was struck head-on by a drunk driver on Highway 154, near the intersection of Highway 246. She was returning to Lompoc from Santa Barbara when the incident occurred shortly before midnight.

The drunk driver, who was fleeing a California Highway Patrol officer at the time of the crash, was taken into custody following the incident.

Investigator Cleaves had served with the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office for 24 years and had served in law enforcement for a total of 32 years. She had previously served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Arcata Police Department, and the Santa Barbara Police Department. She is survived by her husband, who serves with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, and two daughters.