By Kieran Kelly
A small crowd of Santa Cruz County officials gathered at Willowbrook County Park in Aptos on Jan. 20, to announce plans to reimagine the park in memory of fallen Santa Cruz County Sheriff Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller.
Faviola Del Real, with her children Carter and Lucia, speaks at ceremony announcing tribute to her late husband, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, who was killed on duty in 2020. • Photo Credit: Amanda Rotella
The effort is a collaboration of the Santa Cruz County Parks Department, the Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, County Park Friends, and Supervisor Zach Friend.
On June 6, 2020, Sgt. Gutzwiller was killed in the line of duty, leaving behind his wife and two young children. He also left behind many friends and colleagues who wanted to find a way to honor the legacy of his service.
“He was a great police officer; he was a great sergeant,” said Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart. “He’s sorely missed at the Sheriff’s Office. We still have a lot of grief and a lot of sadness.”
Willowbrook County Park was selected for the memorial site due to its special connection to Sgt. Gutzwiller.
Damon Gutzwiller
Damon Gutzwiller grew up in Santa Cruz County and owned his first home in the Willowbrook neighborhood. He could often be found there playing with his beloved dog, Shasta. A dedicated public servant, Damon served with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years advancing to the rank of sergeant.
Speaking through tears with her two young children in hand, Sgt. Gutzwiller’s widow Faviola Del Real spoke about Damon’s connection to the park.
“He used to talk about bringing our children here to play,” she said. “Making this dedication in Damon’s honor will give our children, Carter and Lucia, along with future generations, a place to honor his sacrifice and remember his legacy.”
According to County Parks staff, the project is designed to complement the surrounding environment and will include the installation of a memorial seating area with a curved bench near the park’s pedestrian bridge.
The bench will face towards a new flagpole that will be installed near the park’s southern entrance. The memorial area will feature a plaque honoring Sgt. Gutzwiller and engraved bricks for donors to the project.
“Damon was a local who grew up to serve his community and often visited Willowbrook Park with his family,” said Lt. Nick Baldrige, president of the Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association.
‘The Deputy Sheriffs’ Association is proud to support this project in honor of our fallen brother and his beautiful family. May we never forget his service.”
In a nod to Sgt. Gutzwiller’s young children, the park’s playground will be updated with new features to ensure kids of all ages and abilities can enjoy the park.
The park’s existing sport courts will also be resurfaced and re-striped for tennis and pickleball enthusiasts.
According to Supervisor Friend, “This memorial will ensure Damon’s sacrifice is never forgotten and provide a beautiful new reflection space at the park along with improvements that will benefit the community for years to come. Damon and his family have paid the ultimate price on behalf of the community, and this will be a fitting memorial for his service.”