Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, California
End of Watch Saturday, June 6, 2020
Add to My HeroesDamon C. Gutzwiller
Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller was shot and killed as he and other deputies investigated reports of a suspicious vehicle.
Deputies had originally responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle that contained guns and bomb-making materials in the area of Jamison Creek in Boulder Creek. As they arrived at the scene, they observed the van driving away and followed it to a home on Waldeberg Drive in the Ben Lomond area. The vehicle pulled into the driveway and the occupant immediately ambushed the deputies with firearms and improvised explosive devices.
Sergeant Gutzwiller was killed and the other deputy was wounded. The subject then carjacked a vehicle and fled the area. He was located a short time later and engaged officers in another shootout. A California Highway Patrol officer and the subject were both wounded before the man was taken into custody.
Sergeant Gutzwiller had served with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office for 14 years. He is survived by his expectant wife and young child.
Bio
- Age 38
- Tour 14 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Shot and wounded
Most Recent Reflection
View all 149 ReflectionsRest in peace Sergeant Gutzwiller.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
December 25, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Sergeant James Smith
Iowa State Patrol, IA
EOW: April 9, 2021

Police Officer Brent Nelson Hall
Newton Grove Police Department, NC
EOW: April 3, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Christopher Wilson Knight
Bibb County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: April 6, 2021

Chief of Police Fred Alan Posavetz
Clinton Township Police Department, MI
EOW: March 22, 2021

Corrections Officer Luis Arturo Hernandez, Sr.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: March 31, 2021

Lieutenant James Kouski
Hometown Police Department, IL
EOW: April 3, 2021

Police Officer William Evans
United States Capitol Police, US
EOW: April 2, 2021

Sergeant Shane Owens
Broward County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: March 27, 2021

Sergeant LaShonda Owens
Northampton County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: March 18, 2021