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In the aftermath of the Black Lives Matter movement first exploding on the scene, following the death of Michael Brown, who was killed when a Ferguson, Mo., police officer was forced to defend his life, America saw a rash of cops being ambushed — none more chilling than the cold-
On Saturday, a deputy lost his life in California after being ambushed, with two other officers being injured, though the incident doesn’t appear to be related to the protests over the death of George Floyd.
More from Fox News:
A call about a suspicious van led to an ambush Saturday that resulted in the death of a Northern California sheriff’s deputy and injuries to two other law enforcement officers, according to reports.
Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, 38, was fatally shot during the confrontation in Ben Lomond, an unincorporated area, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said.
A second deputy was injured, and a third officer from the California Highway Patrol was shot in a hand, the sheriff said.
Santa Cruz County deputies were responding to a 911 call about a suspicious van with guns and bomb-making devices inside, according to Sheriff Jim Hart.
When deputies arrived, they saw the van drive off down a driveway. They followed the vehicle and were ambushed by gunfire and explosives after getting out of their vehicle.
Hart said the suspect, identified as Steven Carrillo, 38, was shot during his capture and was being treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
According to reports, Gutzwiller was a married father of one child with a second child on the way.
Our hearts are heavy. You will never be forgotten Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller. pic.twitter.com/3c3SptX45R
— Santa Cruz SO (@SantaCruzSO1) June 7, 2020
And while his death does not appear to be a result of the outcry over Floyd’s death, it does represent the reality that for every police officer in America, their next call could be their last call.
Police officers are being widely vilified in America today, as the media perpetuates a narrative that racial-driven police brutality is rampant, even though statistics do not bear this out.
At the same time, the men and women who put on the uniform risk their lives every single day on the job to provide a safer environment for Americans to work, play and raise their families.
A risk that has magnified significantly in the past 12 days.
After the death of Floyd, which was marked by an image of a police officer with his knee on the deceased man’s neck, cops came under siege in America.
In New York City last week, an officer was run down by a car and sent to the hospital in serious condition, and another officer was stabbed in the neck Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood, in what officials described as an unprovoked attack.
In St. Louis, four officers were shot, and an officer in Jacksonville, Fla., was stabbed in the neck.
And on and on the list goes of attacks on law enforcement, with cops being shot, hit with bricks and run over by vehicles. Dozens of officers have been injured over the past two weeks.
Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the death of Sgt. Gutzwiller from Twitter:
I went on a ride along with Sgt. Gutzwiller last year that I can never forget. Charisma, respect, humor, ethics, empathy, down-to-earth….no words can paint a picture illustrating the quality of a human being being he was. Rest In Peace, Gutz, your memory will live on.
— Brandon Reed (@grizzber) June 7, 2020
We mourn with you. Please accept our deepest condolences. 💙
— Deputy Chief Chris Hsiung (@chMtnViewPD) June 7, 2020
Why do I feel like were in CIVIL WAR!? They’re are going to be many causalities to come before this is over! 😰 ✌💚🧘♂️ #peace
— superhighprophet (@superhighproph1) June 7, 2020
May God embrace you with his love and light as he welcomes you home Praying for your family and for God to protect all of our men/women in blue 🙏🏼💔
— Amber Magalhaes (@amberismynamee) June 7, 2020
I’m so sorry, my heart goes out to his family and his Police family.. of all places Santa Cruz. smh.. people are nuts. it’s the democrat party, don’t forget that when you vote. I cry for my country.
— 🇺🇸❌ TamaraLynn⭐⭐⭐🇺🇸 (@Tamaralynn212) June 7, 2020
My condolences go out to the family, friends and co workers of Sgt. Gutzwiller. Please post any GoFundMe’s for his family so that we may show our appreciation.
— Fonis (@fonis90) June 7, 2020
RIP Sgt Gutzwiller 💙🇺🇸 Your life mattered ❣
🙏💙🙏— andyoaklee®⭐⭐⭐ 🇺🇸 (@andyoaklee) June 7, 2020
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