Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, California
End of Watch Wednesday, March 29, 1995
Add to My HeroesFrank V. Trejo
Deputy Frank Trejo was shot and killed investigating a suspicious vehicle parked at a closed business.
At approximately 11:30 p.m. Deputy Trejo saw an occupied pickup in the parking lot of the Santa Rosa Saddlery on Highway 12, west of Santa Rosa. The business was closed so Deputy Trejo stopped to investigate. In the vehicle were a recently paroled inmate from Pelican Bay State Prison with an extensive criminal history, and also a member of the infamous prison gang the Aryan Brotherhood, and a female companion. The two occupants were casing a tavern next to the closed business, intending on committing an armed robbery. As Deputy Trejo was walking toward the suspect vehicle, the paroled inmate pulled out a sawed-off shotgun and confronted him at the rear of the pickup. He shot Deputy Trejo in the face with the shotgun, killing him instantly, then took Deputy Trejo’s gun and fled the area. The two then forced their way into a house a short distance away and took a family hostage.
The Sheriff’s Department was notified of the hostage situation and quickly set up a perimeter around the house with patrol deputies and the S.W.A.T. Team. After several hours, both suspects surrendered to deputies. The shooter was convicted of first-degree murder and sent to death row at San Quentin State Prison to await execution. The companion was convicted of numerous felony offenses associated with this incident and sentenced to 14 years in State prison.
Deputy Trejo's funeral was attended by more than 2,400 officers and citizens.
Deputy Trejo was a 35-year law enforcement veteran and had served with the agency for 15 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
Deputy Trejo was awarded a posthumous Gold Medal of Valor for his sacrifice.
Bio
- Age 58
- Tour 35 years
- Badge G47
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Shotgun
- Offender Sentenced to death
Most Recent Reflection
View all 49 ReflectionsRIP Officer Trejo and all my brothers and sisters who has fell in the line of duty. God bless you all
Rodney Evans Senior (Civilian)
Civilian
July 25, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

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

Deputy Sheriff Donald Raymond Gilreath, III
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: February 12, 2021