California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California
End of Watch: Thursday, September 11, 1997
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: September 11, 1997
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Not available
Corrections Officer Mylene Zalar and Corrections Officer Paul Beridon were killed in a vehicle crash on California 108, between Oakdale and Jamestown, at approximately 3:45 am.
The officers were en route to the Sierra Conservation Center in Jamestown to conduct a prisoner transport when an oncoming vehicle crossed the center line and struck their department-issued 1987 AMC Eagle station wagon head-on. Officer Beridon, who was driving, and Officer Zalar, who was sitting in the backseat, were both killed. A third officer in the front passenger seat suffered severe injuries but survived.
Officer Zalar had served with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for seven years. She is survived by her mother and brother.