Montebello Police Department, California
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 6, 1971
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 5, 1971
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Officer Acuna was shot and killed when he responded to a robbery in progress at a liquor store at Beverly Blvd. and Via Vista. He was shot when he held his fire to protect a 64-year-old woman clerk being held hostage by the gunman.
On January 30, 1973, the arrest of a man, 31, for burglary in Los Angeles led to his arrest for Officer Acuna's murder, the kidnapping of the clerk, and five counts of armed robbery. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on July 26, 1973. He was denied parole on September 27, 2022. He can have another parole hearing in September of 2025.