Peoria County Sheriff's Office, Illinois
End of Watch: Tuesday, May 26, 1970
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 26, 1970
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 99 to 175 years
Sergeant Raymond Espinoza was shot and killed by a man during an armed robbery attempt of a drive-in theater at 6016 Illinois 116.
The 27-year-old man was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 99 to 175 years in prison on January 25th, 1971. In 2017 a circuit court judge awarded him a new trial and he was released after posting bond. Ten months later on March 24, 2018, he was found dead in his Peoria apartment. No foul play was suspected.
Sergeant Espinoza had served with the Peoria County Sheriff's Department for five years.