The San Diego Police Officers Association has created a trust fund for Henwood's family. Donations can be mailed to:
Officer Jeremy Henwood Family Trust, c/o San Diego Police Officers Association, 8388 Vickers St, San Diego, CA 92111
SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Family and colleagues Monday were mourning the shooting death of a San Diego police officer by a man who went on a shooting rampage, earlier seriously injuring an apparent stranger at an El Cajon restaurant.
Officer Jeremy Henwood, 36, a four-year veteran on the police force, died at 1:42 a.m. Sunday at Scripps Mercy Hospital, Police Chief William Lansdowne said at a Sunday news conference.
The alleged shooter, Dejon Marquee White, 23, had left a suicide note in his apartment before he went to an El Cajon restaurant and shot a man in his face Saturday. That started a bloody rampage that ended when police shot and killed White as the patrolman he had mortally wounded was arriving at the hospital, police said.
An intensive search for an alleged second man believed to be inside the car was fruitless, and Lansdowne Sunday said White is believed to have acted alone.
"Today is a difficult day for all people who serve in San Diego's finest," said the chief, who has characterized the shooting as an "assassination."
Capt. Jim Collins said "the series of events is believed to have started at an In-N-Out Burger on North Magnolia Avenue in the unincorporated area of El Cajon at 5:22 p.m (Saturday). In that incident, a male was shot in the face as he sat in his vehicle in the parking lot."
That man was identified by the San Diego County sheriff's office as Martin Hana, and deputies said he is expected to recover.
The suspect fled the scene in a black Audi with paper temporary dealer plates.
At 5:25 p.m., an El Cajon police officer who was unaware of the shooting at In-N-Out saw a black Audi speeding west on Interstate 8 in El Cajon. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle for the traffic violation, but broke off when the Audi sped above 100 miles per hour and its driver showed erratic driving behavior.
At 5:29 p.m., a possible link was made between the shooting and speeding Audi was established and an "all units" broadcast was made to county law enforcement agencies, Collins said. The suspect vehicle was last seen heading south from Mission Valley on Interstate 15.
At 5:32 p.m., a female civilian used a police radio to advise that a San Diego police officer had been shot at University Avenue at 45th Street. Civilians gave first-aid to the officer until they were relieved by responding police.
According to witnesses, the Audi pulled up on the left side of the officer's vehicle and someone pointed a gun out of the passenger window and fired at Henwood.
At about 6 p.m., police found the Audi outside some apartments in the 4000 block of 48th Street. Collins said a spotter in a police helicopter directed ground units to the 48th Street address as the suspect with the shotgun got back into the Audi.
Police blocked the street in an attempt to stop the car, but the suspect allegedly grabbed the shotgun and was fired upon by multiple officers.
A police officer shot and killed the suspect. After the shooting, the Audi rolled backward into a wrought iron fence. The man inside, later identified as White, was declared dead on the spot.
"A suicide note was found in the suspect's apartment, but there was no mention of what he would do. No motive is known at this time," Collins said.
The chief said the fallen policeman "believed he was a protector and had a responsibility to help others. This department is judged by how we manage situations like this.
"I know in my heart this organization operates as safely as we can.
These men and women will give their lives to protect your safety, an idea exemplified today," ansdowne said.
Henwood was a Marine reservist who had served three tours of duty overseas, the chief said.
Word of Henwood's death and his identity spread on the Internet in the early morning hours, publicly identifying the slain officer before San Diego police could notify next of kin and confirm events. That forced the department to deny the reports until the death could be formally announced.
"We are saddened by this senseless and cowardly act that has taken away a true hero," said Brian Marvel, president of the San Diego Police Officers Association. "Having recently returned from deployment in Afghanistan, Officer Henwood was continuing to serve the community just as he had served his country -- with honor and respect. He will be remembered for these qualities."
In a statement released Monday, Gov. Jerry Brown and his wife offered condolences to the Henwood family, which includes the slain officer's mother, Beverly; a brother, Robbie; and a sister, Emily, of San Antonio, Texas.
"Anne and I send our deepest condolences to Officer Henwood's family, friends and colleagues mourning his tragic and untimely death," Brown said. "We honor this brave officer's service to his state and nation at home and on the battlefield."
Henwood was the second San Diego police officer to die within 10 months.
On Oct. 28 in the Skyline district, Officer Chris Wilson, 50, was fatally shot in a probation raid.
The San Diego Police Officers Association has created a trust fund for Henwood's family. Donations can be mailed to:
Officer Jeremy Henwood Family Trust, c/o San Diego Police Officers Association, 8388 Vickers St, San Diego, CA 92111.
Any donation will go directly to the family, Marvel said.
On Oct. 28 in the Skyline district, Officer Chris Wilson, 50, was fatally shot in a probation raid.
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO THE PREVIOUS STORY BELOW.
SAN DIEGO (CNS/CBS 8) - A San Diego police officer hit by a shotgun blast in City Heights was fighting for his life Sunday, shot while police across the county were looking for the armed robbers who had just wounded a man at an El Cajon drive-thru burger stand.
Officer Jeremy Henwood was alone in a patrol car when he was shot at 5:32 p.m. Saturday. Minutes later, a suspect was shot and killed, but police continued to seek a second suspect.
23-year-old Dejon Marquee White has been determined to be the only suspect in the event according to San Diego police.
The officer had pulled up alongside a black Audi on University Avenue at 45th Street at nearly the same time as a citywide police radio bulletin about a black Audi fleeing from a shooting at an In-And-Out burger stand on the north edge of El Cajon was broadcast.
A passenger in the black Audi shot the officer as the two cars were next to each other, at 5:32 p.m. Saturday, in the City Heights street, police said.
He was hospitalized in critical condition at Scripps Mercy Hospital, reportedly with a head wound.
Chief William Lansdowne scheduled a 1 p.m. news conference at police headquarters.
Police said the suspect in the black Audi was believed to be same person who shot someone in the face at an In-N-Out at North Magnolia and Bradley avenues, near El Cajon, at 5:22 p.m. The suspect vehicle was described as a black Audi with paper dealer plates.
That victim, also hit with a shotgun blast, is expected to survive. San Diego County sheriffs deputies are investigating that crime.
An El Cajon police officer, unaware of the shooting, spotted the Audi speeding west on Interstate 8 towards San Diego minutes later and chased it, but pulled off when the Audi hit 100 mph or more.
San Diego police Capt. Jim Collins said a possible link was made between the two cases, and a countywide "all units" broadcast was made at 5:29 p.m.
At 5:32 p.m., a woman picked up the stricken officer's police radio to report he had been shot and to plea for help.
Witnesses described the suspect vehicle at the shooting as a black sedan with paper dealer plates, Collins said. The driver was described as a black man.
About 6 p.m. police found a vehicle matching the description outside some apartments in the 4000 block of 48th Street, determined by officers to be White's residence.
Collins said a spotter in a police helicopter directed ground units to the 48th Street address as the suspect with the shotgun got back into the Audi. Police blocked the street in an attempt to stop the car, but the suspect allegedly grabbed the shotgun and was fired upon by multiple officers.
A police officer shot and killed the suspect. Police continued to seek a second suspect, but no immediate arrests were made in a search of the area.
The Audi had contained at least a driver and one passenger.
After the shooting, the Audi rolled backward into a wrought iron fence.
White was declared dead on the spot.
There is no determined motive for the shooting. The investigation is continuing.
On Oct. 28 in Skyline, San Diego police Officer Chris Wilson, 50, was fatally shot in a probation raid.