Sergeant Dominic Vaca, 43, of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, was killed on May 31, 2021, in Yucca Valley, California. Deputies from the Morongo Basin station tried to stop a motorcyclist riding without a license plate. The motorcyclist, identified as Bilal Winston Shabazz, 29, of Lancaster, fled on the motorcycle, then abandoned it and ran into the desert. As deputies, including Sgt. Vaca, closed in, Shabazz opened fire and struck Vaca. Sgt. Vaca was airlifted to a hospital but died that night.

Shabazz, who had a no-bail warrant out of Los Angeles County, continued to evade capture and was later located by other deputies. A subsequent exchange of gunfire left Shabazz shot and killed; a loaded handgun and extra ammunition were recovered on him. The department said no other suspects were involved. Flags were lowered to half-staff and a procession escorted Vaca’s body to the coroner’s office; he was remembered as a dedicated officer, husband, and father of two young daughters.

Are there readers who knew Sgt. Vaca or who have information about the pursuit and shooting?