Joseph Santana, a 31-year-old officer with the El Monte Police Department, tragically lost his life on June 14, 2022. Santana, along with his partner Corporal Michael Paredes, responded to a call at the Siesta Inn in El Monte, California, regarding a possible stabbing. Upon arrival, the officers confronted the suspect, Justin Flores, inside a motel room. A gunfight ensued, resulting in both officers being fatally shot. The suspect, Flores, was also killed during the exchange of gunfire.
Santana, who had been with the El Monte Police Department for less than a year, left behind a wife, daughter, and twin sons.
The incident sparked significant controversy and criticism, particularly directed at Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón. Critics, including Santana's mother, Olga Garcia, blamed Gascón's policies for allowing Flores, a felon with a history of arrests, to remain out of jail. Flores had been on probation at the time of the shooting, having received a plea deal that allowed him to avoid prison time for firearm possession. This plea deal, which dropped charges of methamphetamine possession and being a felon in possession of ammunition, placed Flores on probation and required him to serve only 20 days in jail.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that the officers were not warned that Flores was armed and under the influence of PCP and methamphetamine. A 911 call from Flores' wife, Maria Zepeda, had reported these details, but the information was not relayed to the officers before they arrived at the scene. This failure in communication led to the officers being ambushed by Flores. The dispatcher involved in the case was not blamed, as the information was available in the computer-aided dispatch system visible to the officers in their patrol vehicles.
The deaths of Santana and Paredes led to calls for changes within the El Monte Police Department and the broader criminal justice system. Family members and loved ones of the officers have been vocal in their demands for accountability and reform, emphasizing the need for better communication and stricter enforcement of laws to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the El Monte Police Department working closely with the Sheriff's Department and the District Attorney's Office to complete the final steps.
