Police Officer David Vasquez, Cathedral City Police Department, California

Police Officer David Vasquez

Cathedral City Police Department, California

End of Watch Friday, October 28, 1988

David Vasquez

Police Officer David Vasquez was struck and killed by a vehicle at the intersection of 35th Street and Date Palm Drive while assisting at the scene of a traffic accident.

He was assigned to provide traffic control at a non-injury collision. He had laid out a cone/flare pattern to shut down one lane of traffic for the officers to safely conduct their investigation. A motorist, later found to be driving on a suspended license, drove into the closed lane and struck Officer Vasquez at approximately 30-40 mph, killing him almost instantly. He was rushed to Eisenhower Medical Center and pronounced dead upon arrival.

The driver was later prosecuted and sentenced to probation.

Officer Vasquez had served with the department since it was formed in June 1984. was survived by his parents.

Bio

Age 30
Tour 4 years, 4 months
Badge 6

Incident Details

Cause Struck by vehicle

accident scene

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Today we remember the sacrifice made by Cathedral City Police Officer David Vasquez 30 years ago today.

On October 28th, 1988, Officer Vasquez was investigating a traffic accident when he was struck by a vehicle. Sadly, the injuries he suffered were too severe to survive, and he became the first line of duty death for our department.

We will never forget Dave’s sacrifice for our community. Please continue to keep Dave and his family in your thoughts and prayers. #AHeroRememberedNeverDies #HonorTheFallen #ThinBlueLine #CathedralCity #CCPD #PrideInService

Sergeant Jon Enos
Cathedral City Police Department

October 28, 2018