Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch Sunday, March 19, 1978
Add to My HeroesArthur E. Pelino
Deputy Sheriff Arthur Pelino was shot and killed by a mentally deranged suspect.
Deputy Pelino was the Resident Deputy in the rural town of Gorman. He had arrested a mentally deranged man that was known to have been violent but canceled deputies who were responding to back him up after stating he had the situation under control. Deputy Pelino took the suspect back to his office to start the booking process.
During the booking process, the suspect started to struggle and was able to get Deputy Pelino's service weapon. The man then shot and killed Deputy Pelino and sat down in the office.
Two of Deputy Pelino's children found him and the suspect and ran to get help. Deputy Pelino's wife was able to get the suspect into a cell and call for assistance.
Deputy Pelino had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 21 years. He was survived by his wife, three sons, and three daughters.
Bio
- Age 50
- Tour 21 years
- Badge 1145
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Sentenced to 2 1/2 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 35 ReflectionsIn Los Angeles County, there are only two Residency spots. Your home is also the Sheriff's Sub Station and your help is about an hour away. At that time, I was Art's counter part, the Resident Deputy at the Isthmus Sheriff's Facility, Catalina Island. Interestingly, both of us were ELA Station Alumni and we would chat on the phone occasionally about our unique assignment.
Because of Art's death on that terrible day, I want all to know his death was not in vain. Our assignments at the time did not allow for another Resident Deputy position (this changed over the years). However because of his death, It was decided by Sheriff Pitchess that both Resident spots would be made part of the newly formed K-9 program. The years after his death until I transferred, the K-9 assigned to me proved invaluable in my assignment as it did to his replacement.
RIP Art
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