EOW 10/27/2006

At 3:27 a.m. on Friday, October 27, 2006, Deputy Jeffrey V. Mitchell, a nine year employee of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, assigned to the South Bureau, conducted a vehicle stop at Meiss and Dillard Roads on a white Chevrolet van with one occupant.

Approximately seven minutes later, the Sheriff’s Communications Center conducted a welfare check on the officer, without a response units responded to his location.

The initial responding unit arrived at the location approximately 20 minutes later and found the Deputy with a gunshot wound to his head. At that point, officers requested emergency medical aid for the Deputy and initiated a large perimeter to begin conducting a search of the area. The Deputy was transported to the UC Davis Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased at 4:45 a.m. as a result of his injuries.

Mitchell began his career with the Sheriff's Department in 1997 at Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center in Elk Grove, where he was a recreation technician who helped lead the jail's physical education program.

He became a deputy three years later -- the same year his son, Jake, was born -- and went on patrol in 2002.

Deputy Mitchell is remembered fondly by everyone who knew him, from his co-workers and friends to citizens on his beat. He leaves behind a wife and six year old son.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect vehicle or the homicide of this Sheriff’s Deputy, please contact the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department at (800) 471-1700 or (916) 874-6500. You may also use the Sheriff's Department Online TIP Form.