Deputy Peter John Aguirre Jr., 26, was killed on July 17, 1996, while responding to a domestic disturbance in the Meiners Oaks/Ojai area of Ventura County, California. Aguirre, a Ventura County Sheriff’s deputy with just over two years’ service, went into a home on North Encinal Avenue to speak with the suspect, Michael Raymond Johnson, and was shot multiple times, suffering fatal gunshot wounds to his body and head. Aguirre did not have time to draw his weapon before being struck.

After the initial shooting, Johnson, naked and armed with two guns, exchanged gunfire with three other deputies outside the home. He was wounded by return fire and taken to a local hospital. Johnson was charged with Deputy Aguirre’s murder, the special circumstance of killing an on-duty officer, attempted murder of another deputy, and allegations of kidnapping and sexual assault of his wife; a conviction and sentence followed in later proceedings. Aguirre is remembered by family and colleagues as a dedicated, compassionate officer.

Did anyone in the community have contact with Deputy Aguirre or information about the incident that could shed more light on what happened that night?