Honoring A Hero
On Friday, Aug. 5, Officer Jonathan DeGuzman will be laid to rest, and 10News will have live coverage of the procession and memorial service on-air, as well as on our website, mobile app, and on Facebook and Twitter. Download our mobile app to receive any important updates on the day's events.
BONITA, Calif. -- Mourners and well-wishers will have a second opportunity Wednesday to pay respects to Jonathan "J.D." DeGuzman, a San Diego police gang-enforcement officer fatally wounded last week during a shootout in a Southcrest- area neighborhood.
A viewing is set for 4 p.m. and a rosary ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church at 450 Corral Canyon Road in Bonita. A funeral mass will be held at the same church late Thursday morning, and all will be open to the public.
On Friday, a public memorial at Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon is scheduled for the 16-year department veteran, who was shot along with a fellow officer in a gun battle that erupted during a field stop on Acacia Grove Way late last Thursday night. A procession to Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita will follow the ceremony.
DeGuzman, 43, was shot five times at close range died at Scripps Mercy Hospital, according to police and prosecutors. He is survived by a wife and two children.
His partner, Officer Wade Irwin, 32, underwent surgery for a bullet wound at UCSD Medical Center and is expected to recover.
The ex-con who allegedly opened fire on them, 52-year-old Jesse Michael Gomez, was critically wounded in the shootout and remains hospitalized.
He pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of murder, attempted murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm, and was ordered to remain in custody in lieu of $5 million bail. A special circumstance allegation of murder of a police officer makes Gomez eligible for the death penalty if he is convicted.
The San Diego Police Officers Association is collecting money for DeGuzman's family. Donations can be mailed to the San Diego Police Officers Association, 8388 Vickers St., San Diego, CA 92111, or made online here.
SDPOA officials asked donors to include "Officer Jonathan DeGuzman" in the notes of the online donation or on the memo lines of their checks.
Contributions to aid in Irwin's recovery expenses can be made at gofundme.com/irwinfamilyfund.
