Officer John Pedro

On June 3 at approximately 6:59 a.m., Officer John Pedro was patrolling in the southern end of Santa Cruz County in a specially-marked patrol vehicle, working commercial enforcement. Officer Pedro had turned in the center median to northbound State Route 1 and was traveling at a yet to be determined speed with his emergency lights activated. For unknown reasons, he lost control of his vehicle while negotiating the northbound off-ramp to eastbound State Route 129. The car hit a large tree broadside, shearing it off and overturning the car. The impact killed the officer instantly. Preliminary reports indicate Officer Pedro was attempting to overtake and conduct an enforcement action on a vehicle that had exited the off-ramp. At the time of his death, he was 36 years old and had been a CHP officer for 12 years.