Dominic Vaca
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- A memorial service was held Friday for a San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy who was fatally shot in the aftermath of a motorcycle chase on Memorial Day.
A procession for Sgt. Dominic Vaca departed from the San Bernardino County Coroner's Office at 6:45 a.m. and made its way to the Glen Helen Amphitheatre, where the private memorial service was held at 10 a.m.
More than 4,000 people paid tribute, including law enforcement from as far away as New York.
Words used to describe the 43-year-old sergeant, known fondly by many as "Dom," included accountability, inspiration, passion and humility.
“We’re proud of Dom for taking a risk and doing what he thought was just and righteous on Memorial Day, we wouldn’t expect anything less. But we are saddened and outraged with how it ended. And I will say that evil did not prevail on that day, Dom will shine.”
Valerie Vaca, the widow of Sergeant Dominic Vaca, shares her powerful story of love, loss, and resilience after Dominic was killed in the line of duty on May 31, 2021.
In the middle of our nation’s Capitol thousands of people gathered to pour love out onto the families of our fallen officers. We traveled to Washington DC to honor our fallen, Sgt. Dominic Vaca and Det. Armando Cantu. And to support their families. Red roses were given to the wives, husbands, children and parents of the men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty. The roses symbolized an emotion not often associated with law enforcement: LOVE.
Shortly after the countywide peace officer memorial in May 2023, SEBA joined members of the Sheriff's Honor Guard as they embarked on a mission across the county. Their goal? To draw attention to specific monuments dedicated to their fallen brothers.