COMMUNITY NEWS
‘Be Loyal. Be Honest. Be Damon.’
Gutzwiller Memorial Draws Mourners From All Over The Central Coast
F
By Jondi Gumz
riends and family said their final in the office “because he could,” Deputy Chris Shearer said. good-byes to Santa Cruz County “We’re going to pray to God this will Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller never happen again,” Shearer said. “It’s June 17 at an emotional memorial on the OK to grieve, to cry, to morn. We have to... Cabrillo College football field attended by We must learn to heal and live again. Be an estimated 3,000 people, many of them loyal, be honest, be Damon.” law enforcement brethren from all over His wife Favi recalled her first date California, watched by 800 on YouTube and with Damon, when they watched the battle recorded on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook movie “300,” and he sat respectfully at the page, where it has 91,000 views. opposite end of the couch. The two-hour remembrance was A few weeks into their relationship, solemn, as those in uniform know they may Favi, a nurse in the neonatal intensive care get their last call at any time — as Gutzwiller, unit, had a 16-hour night shift when a baby 38, did on June 6 when he was fatally shot died, and Damon brought her lunch and while on duty — but there was laughter, too, Bagpipers lead the procession at the memorial for Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller. as they shared stories about him. Hart thanked the civilian who “Gutz” in memory of his friend. They made her dinner, leaving it at her door. Favi said Damon, an only child, Gutzwiller grew up in Aptos, grad- knocked away the assailant’s assault rifle, did. In an email read by Pastor Schlaepfer, wanted children. She was unsure at first, uated from Aptos High in 1999, then bomb and pistol: “Thank you for stopping Deputy Jake Cooper shared how they had but as she got to know him, she realized attended Cabrillo. In his 14-year career this rampage.” He thanked the more than 40 law fun on the Sheriff’s Office drone team, she wanted him to be the father of her with the Sheriff’s Office, he touched a lot enforcement agencies that came when he calling themselves pilots, with Gutzwiller children. of lives. She said he relished being a dad, changing his phone ringtone to “Top Gun” “I have been flooded with letters and called for help on June 6. getting up early to make breakfast for and getting a call during roll call, to razz He thanked the people filling in for emails,” said Pastor Rene Schlaepfer of Carter and play with him and cook with Twin Lakes Church, who served as emcee. his deputies Wednesday, allowing them to the sergeant who was a real pilot. In another email, Deputy Daniel him. He had plans to coach him in Little attend the memorial. “I wish I could read them all.” He said Damon “would demand we Robbins told how he and Gutzwiller, League baseball and teach him golf. He read a few to give “a flavor of this Damon dreamed of buying a Jeep but find our way back to serve the community during a traffic stop, found burglary tools beautiful life.” On one side of the stage, Gutz- – we must remember Damon is counting in the vehicle and questioned the driver, when Shasta, his canine companion, was on us. Let’s make who denied any illicit activity until Gutz- diagnosed with cancer, he spent his Jeep willer’s official willer said, “You are a LLPOF.” Which fund savings to pay for Shasta’s surgery Damon proud.” portrait showed his and radiation. stands for “Liar, liar, pants on fire.” Hart then pretrademark grin, a For Valentine’s Day, he gave Favi a Sgt. Daniel Freitas, via email, told sented Gutzwiller’s smile that would badge to his family, a story of a mountain hike so exhausting Welsh love spoon that read, “I shall look light up a room. getting down on even Gutzwiller’s border collie Shasta laid after you and protect you.” On the other side, She shared that memory, then one knee to speak to down -- and Gutzwiller slung the dog over a family portrait Carter, then giving his shoulders and carried him miles back paused. showed him with his to camp. Favi a hug. wife Favi and son “Memorial” page 10 Gutzwiller joined every special team Mark Ramos, a Carter, who is 2. retired deputy fire Deputies were Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, with his wife Favi and son chief in Santa Cruz, tracking a van with Carter. said Gutzwiller was explosives June 6 when they entered a mountain hideaway in like a son to him and his wife Wanda, Ben Lomond, where they were ambushed eating breakfast and dinner with them — with gunfire and explosives; the alleged until he met Favi. Whatever Wanda would cook up, assailant, who is in jail, also faces a federal murder charge for the May 29 drive-by Gutzwiller would always say, “Umm — amazing!” shooting of a federal officer in Oakland. Sgt. Steve Ryan, who had Gutzwiller Sheriff Jim Hart, who promoted Gutzwiller to sergeant last year, said he had as his first partner, recalled Thanksgiving known Gutzwiller since he was 18 when he four years ago, eating at the Felton Chinese became a volunteer with the Sheriff’s Office. restaurant, as one of the best, because he “Who watches over the watchers?” spent it with Gutzwiller. Gutzwiller was so happy to be a father asked Hart, telling Favi, Carter and the that whenever Carter’s name came up, he baby who is due soon, “We love you and would pull out a picture to share. When we’re here for you. Damon loved this community and he gave too much. Every his mother Vicki got ill, he had dinner member of our department will make you with her every week and drove her doctor Photo Credit: Michael Oppenheimer Representing Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller in the procession, the hood has his name and picture and says EOW feel that love right back — not just now or appointments. Ryan asked everyone to yell out • 6/6/2020 (End of Watch) next week but in years to come.” 8 / July 2020 / Capitola Soquel Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
