Relatives believe that had Officer Joseph Santana been told by a dispatcher that a suspect had a gun and was on PCP, he and his partner might still be alive.
A 911 caller informed police about the dangers posed by Justin Flores, but a veteran dispatcher failed to alert responding officers over their radios. Instead, she typed it into their patrol car consoles.
El Monte Police Cpl. Michael Paredes and Officer Joseph Santana were killed in an ambush in 2022 by a convicted gang member who was under the influence of PCP and methamphetamine.
A 911 caller informed police about the dangers posed by Justin Flores, but a veteran dispatcher failed to alert responding officers over their radios. Instead, she typed it into their patrol car consoles.