Vigil held for fallen Santa Cruz County deputy Gutzwiller

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION)

Hundreds of people paid their respects at a vigil for Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller at the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday afternoon.

Gutzwiller, a husband and father, was killed in the line of duty during an ambush in Ben Lomond on Saturday afternoon.

Santa Cruz County deputies said Gutzwiller was kind, loyal and had a big sense of humor.

People at the vigil showed up with signs that read “Blue Lives Matter,” “support law enforcement,” and “God Bless Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller”.

“I never saw him have a bad day, even when he was due one,” said Sgt. Steve Ryan of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.

Flags outside of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office were at half-staff and a memorial for Gutzwiller surrounds the flagpole.

The Sheriff's Office has set up a fundraiser for Sgt. Gutzwiller's family.

Another vigil for Gutzwiller will be held at 7 p.m. at Ben Lomond Park.