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 Santa Rosa Saddlery parking lot on Highway 12, west of Santa Rosa. The business was closed, so Deputy Trejo stopped to investigate. In the vehicle was 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 Sonoma County Sheriff's Office 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 51 ReflectionsRest in peace hero.
J.R.
February 28, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Senior Corrections Officer Daniel Sincavage
New Jersey Department of Corrections, NJ
EOW: May 19, 2022

Border Patrol Agent Daniel Salazar
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: May 17, 2022

Chief Deputy Sheriff Jody Wayne Cash
Calloway County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 16, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Walter Donald Jenkins, Jr.
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: May 11, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Robert Adam Howard
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: May 11, 2022

Patrol Officer Brian Lee Sember
Ottawa Police Department, IL
EOW: April 3, 2022

Sergeant Nicholas W. Tullier
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: May 5, 2022

Police Officer Darryl Wayne Fortner
Vestavia Hills Police Department, AL
EOW: April 6, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist
Knox County Sheriff's Office, IL
EOW: April 29, 2022