A Salinas police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty Friday night, Salinas Police Chief Roberto Filice reported in a press conference on Saturday, where local law enforcement and local leaders spoke.
“Our community, our police department are devastated. The death of a Salinas police in the line of duty has not occurred in nearly 80 years,” said Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig.
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The shooting took place in the area of East Market near Griffin Street around 10:45 p.m. Filice said it was a traffic stop that turned into a shooting. There were no details released on why the shooting happened or who shot first.
Salinas Police Chief, Roberto Filice said, “He made a traffic stop and ultimately turned into an officer involved shooting. The officer stayed in the fight all the way to do the end. Ultimately, he paid the price for it.”
Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni identified the officer as Jorge Alvarado Jr.
The suspected shooter was apprehended and in custody.
This is the first active duty officer death in Salinas in nearly 80 years.
Law enforcement from Santa Cruz County Sheriff, Monterey County Sheriff, Scotts Valley police, Marina police, Monterey police, Seaside police responded to allow Salinas officers reprieve after the fatal shooting. “Their systems and support provided an opportunity to Salinas police officers to have a brief rest following the death of a fellow officer,” Pacioni said.
A large portion of Griffin Street was still blocked off by police barricades Saturday morning as the investigation continued.
A statement was released by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department about the killing of the Salinas police office saying, “Our thoughts are with our partners at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalinasPoliceDepartment/?__cft__=AZVAJiedo9mZl6byCSyWsroYrE6YN3SBIMY0Fi1YHxp8I95hp-42cAfhGGMbw0lEF7D7Gfsslxt7MSszlRV-vJy6lpbQLQ_dd5d_ZhIWvDweRrYQkcYQF097Dfo7tN0YAgw&__tn__=kK-R” role=”link” tabindex=”0″>Salinas Police Department. MCSO Deputies, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watsonvillepd?__cft__=AZVAJiedo9mZl6byCSyWsroYrE6YN3SBIMY0Fi1YHxp8I95hp-42cAfhGGMbw0lEF7D7Gfsslxt7MSszlRV-vJy6lpbQLQ_dd5d_ZhIWvDweRrYQkcYQF097Dfo7tN0YAgw&__tn__=-]K-R” role=”link” tabindex=”0″>Watsonville Police Department, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SantaCruzSheriffsOffice?__cft__=AZVAJiedo9mZl6byCSyWsroYrE6YN3SBIMY0Fi1YHxp8I95hp-42cAfhGGMbw0lEF7D7Gfsslxt7MSszlRV-vJy6lpbQLQ_dd5d_ZhIWvDweRrYQkcYQF097Dfo7tN0YAgw&__tn__=-]K-R” role=”link” tabindex=”0″>Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office will be covering the city of Salinas the next few shifts so their Officers can take care of themselves on this heartbreaking day.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as soon as new information becomes available.