Deputy Sheriff Michael A. Gray, Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, California

Deputy Sheriff Michael A. Gray

Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, California

End of Watch Thursday, January 13, 1983

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Michael A. Gray

Deputy Sheriff Michael Gray succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 10 days earlier while attempting to question a transient in front of a business at 5805 Highway 9 in Felton, California.

As Deputy Gray stopped his patrol car, the man walked up to the driver's window and suddenly opened fire without warning, striking Deputy Gray in the abdomen several times. Despite being wounded, Deputy Gray was able to return as the man walked away.

The suspect also shot and wounded a California Highway Patrol officer who responded to Deputy Gray's call for help. The suspect fled into Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, where his body was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound several days later.

Deputy Gray was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and served with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office for eight years. He is survived by his wife, 6 year-old-son, mother, father, and brother, who was a Forest Service Ranger.

He is buried at the Felton Cemetery in Felton, Santa Cruz County, California.

Bio

Age 40
Tour 8 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Monday, January 3, 1983
Weapon Handgun; 9 mm
Offender Committed suicide

suspicious person

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Most Recent Reflection

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I have not forgotten him all these years ago. I work for Senator Cruz County probation magnet, and I had one of his cases on my desk when he passed. He enjoyed being a sheriffs deputy, and had left his job as an architect because he found rather boring. he enjoyed what he did, and was committed to his community and loved working for the sheriffs department!

Deputy Probation Officer
Santa Cruz County

February 26, 2024