California Highway Patrol, California
End of Watch: Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: 15357
Cause of Death: Motorcycle crash
Date of Incident: August 27, 2003
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Sentenced to probation
Officer Shannon Distel was killed in a motorcycle crash while on patrol on Van Buren Boulevard, near Dauchy Avenue, in Riverside County.
A pickup truck pulling a trailer turned left in front of him, causing a collision. Officer Distel's motorcycle became wedged in between the truck and trailer, and he was thrown 50 yards. He was transported to Riverside County Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.
The 31-year-old driver of the pickup truck was arrested and charged with gross negligence and driving under the influence of drugs. The driver was sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence; the charges were reduced after the driver's drug tests returned negative.
Officer Distel was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the California Highway Patrol for six years. He is survived by his wife, four children, parents, brother, and sister.