Fresno County Sheriff's Office, California
End of Watch: Thursday, February 25, 2010
Age: 48
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: 351
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 25, 2010
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Deceased
Deputy Sheriff Joel Wahlenmaier was shot and killed as he and another deputy assisted officers from the California Fire Marshal's Office serve a warrant on a suspected arsonist in Minkler, California.
As the deputies and officers entered the suspect's mobile home the man opened fire on them, fatally wounding Deputy Wahlenmaier and wounding a second deputy.
Police Officer Javier Bejar, of the Reedley Police Department, responded to the report of an officer down. He was shot and critically wounded during a standoff with the suspect. He died from his wounds four days later.
The suspect was found dead inside the home after a standoff that lasted several hours.
Deputy Wahlenmaier had served with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office for 12 years. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, and parents.