DOB: 12/12/1981
End Of Watch: 10/23/2019

Deputy Sheriff Brian Ishmael was shot and killed while responding to a call reporting the larceny of marijuana plants in the area of Sand Ridge Road and Mount Aukum Road in the rural Somerset community.

A subject operating a marijuana grow reported he observed several men stealing plants at approximately 12:30 a.m. and stated that a vehicle was parked at a neighbor’s home. Deputy Ishmael and an off-duty deputy from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office who was riding along with him responded to the area. Shortly after 1:00 a.m., he broadcasted that shots had been fired. Deputy Ishmael and the off-duty deputy both exchanged shots with multiple subjects.

Deputy Ishmael was shot and killed, and the off-duty deputy was wounded during the shootout. Two men, one of whom was wounded, were taken into custody by responding officers. The 911 caller was also arrested after discovering he was a business partner of the shooters and failed to disclose the relationship to the police. Several days later, a fourth subject was arrested after an investigation revealed that the marijuana grows were illegally contracted by a subject in Mexico. All four subjects, including at least one of whom is an illegal alien, were charged by both state and federal authorities.

In 2022, a jury found 22-year-old Juan Carlos Vasquez-Orozco guilty of murder in the second degree and assault with a firearm. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, the minimum sentence.

Deputy Brian Ishmael, age 37, was a 4-year veteran with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and previously served two years with the Placerville Police Department. Deputy Ishmael is survived by his wife and three children.