Sergeant Paul Avery Starzyk, 47, of the Martinez Police Department was killed on September 6, 2008, after responding to a report of gunshots at a local hair salon. The salon owner’s estranged husband, Felix Sandoval, entered the business armed with a .38-caliber handgun and fired several shots. Officers pursued Sandoval into an apartment complex behind the salon after arriving on scene.

Officers heard children screaming from an upstairs unit and moved toward the noise. Sandoval, hiding behind a door, opened fire and struck Sergeant Starzyk twice in the upper body, just above his protective vest. Sergeant Starzyk and another officer returned fire. A K-9 officer’s dog, Enzo, located Sandoval, who was then shot and killed by officers. A woman identified as Catalina Torres was found dead in the apartment; two other women and three children were unharmed.

Starzyk left behind his wife, Shannon, and their three young children. No further arrests were made because Sandoval was killed during the confrontation. Does anyone have memories of Sergeant Starzyk or information about that day that could add to the record?