Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis that re-establishes a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for the murder of 27-year-old Sheriff’s Deputy Juan Escalante in Cypress Park.
Deputy Escalante, a military veteran who served in Iraq, was shot and killed in front of his mother’s house at approximately 5:40 a.m. on August 2, 2008. Arrests have been made in this case, but investigators believe additional suspects remain at large.
“Although almost 16 years have passed since Deputy Escalante’s life was tragically and violently ended, his family members, loved ones and colleagues still feel the pain of his loss,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger stated. “I’m hopeful this reward will encourage someone to provide a critical tip or bit of information to find everyone who had a hand in this murder. Justice must be served.”
“My hope with the re-establishment of this reward is that the family of Deputy Escalante will get closer to justice,” said Supervisor Solis. “I am grateful for the tenacity and dedication of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department to ensure all involved in the tragic murder of Deputy Escalante are held accountable for their actions.”
Anyone with information about this case can anonymously contact the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1(800) 222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Tips and information can also be reported to the Los Angeles Sheriff Department’s Homicide Bureau by dialing (323) 890-5500 to speak with Lieutenant Patricia Thomas or the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery Homicide Division at (213) 486-6890 to speak with Detective Carlos Camacho.