Minkler shootout claims another officer’s life
A second Fresno County law enforcement officer has died after being shot last week by a barricaded arson suspect.
Reedley police Officer Javier Bejar had been on life support at a Fresno hospital since the daylong standoff Feb. 25. He died Monday morning, Reedley city officials said.
Some 200 officers from area departments converged on the tiny unincorporated town of Minkler after two Fresno County sheriff's deputies were shot while trying to serve a search warrant. One of them, Joel Wahlenmaier, died within hours. The other deputy is recovering.
Hundreds of rounds were fired between the suspect's mobile home and police who had cordoned off the area. The alleged shooter, Ricky Liles, 51, apparently took his own life, police have said.
Bejar, 28, was named officer of the year in his agricultural community in 2007.
-- Steve Chawkins
Photo: Reedley PD
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Such a waste. Given the distance, nothing you could do. RIP.
Posted by: EAW | March 01, 2010 at 10:08 PM
My prayers go out to this "Heros" family and friends! It is so sad to have another "protector" taken away by a coward! God has a special place for the "Peace Keepers" Time may heal the wounds of those left behind and hopefully our heros will never be forgotten!
Posted by: Joefriday | March 02, 2010 at 12:44 PM