Officer Shannon Lee Distel, California Highway Patrol, California

Officer Shannon Lee Distel

California Highway Patrol, California

End of Watch Wednesday, August 27, 2003

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Shannon Lee Distel

Officer Shannon Distel was killed in a motorcycle crash while on patrol on Van Buren Boulevard, near Dauchy Avenue, in Riverside County.

A pickup truck pulling a trailer turned left in front of him, causing a collision. Officer Distel's motorcycle became wedged in between the truck and trailer, and he was thrown 50 yards. He was transported to Riverside County Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

The 31-year-old driver of the pickup truck was arrested and charged with gross negligence and driving under the influence of drugs. The driver was sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence; the charges were reduced after the driver's drug tests returned negative.

Officer Distel was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the California Highway Patrol for six years. He is survived by his wife, four children, parents, brother, and sister.

Bio

Age 31
Tour 6 years
Badge 15357
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Motorcycle crash

bike patrol, motorcycle

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It’s been a long time! I think about you every day I’m at work because I keep the etching of your name from the police memorial hanging at my desk. I sometimes think of how different things would be if you were still around. I’ll see you again someday. Until then, “Hang on.”

Officer Matt Deerwester
Police officer/friend

August 27, 2024