By Police1 Staff
LOMPOC, Calif. — The Lompoc Police Department is mourning one of their own after he was found dead Tuesday morning from an apparent suicide.
Police told The Lompoc Record Officer Miguel Grijalva was off duty and outside the city when he died. He was a three-year veteran of the department.
“The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is handling the death investigation case, and the preliminary investigation indicates that the death was a suicide,” city spokeswoman Samantha Scroggin said.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office assisted in patrol Tuesday, allowing Lompoc police to “spend time with their family and friends as they grieve their loss.” The city is providing counseling for the police department.
Before enrolling in the academy in 2014, Grijalva served in the United States Marine Corps. He was awarded the Leo Ortega Memorial Award. The award is given to the most inspirational cadet, the publication reported.
Grijalva said he fulfilled a lifelong dream when he graduated from the police academy.
The Lompoc Police Department urges anyone considering suicide, or who knows anyone who might be contemplating suicide, to seek help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 800-273-8255.