Napan's husband shot by off-duty LA police officer

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Saturday, August 30, 2008

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By MARSHA DORGAN
Register Staff Writer

A Napa woman is mourning the death of her husband, Robert Day, 50, who was shot to death by an off-duty Los Angeles police officer on Aug. 25, at a convenience store near the Southern California town of Corona.

According to LAPD, Los Angeles Police Officer Antonio Mendez, who was driving his Hummer north on Interstate 5 with his 13-month-old son in the back seat, was sideswiped by a Toyota pickup, driven by Day, according to a Riverside County Sheriff’s press release.

Details of the accident were not available.

According to press reports, the collision resulted in a high speed chase between Day’s Toyota and the officer’s Hummer. The vehicles left the freeway, stopped and parked outside a deli. The drivers got out of their vehicles and exchanged words. While trying to detain Day, the off-duty officer fired his weapon once, hitting Day in the upper body, the press release said.

The only weapon found was Mendez’s firearm.

In an interview with the Register on Friday, Day’s wife, Jennifer Day , said “A Napa police officer came to my house on Sunday night and told me I was not in any trouble. He told me Robert had been killed in an accident. I have no idea why he (Robert) was in Riverside County.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident as a hit and run followed by an officer involved shooting, according to a sheriff’s press release.

Mendez was placed on administrative leave immediately following the fatal shooting.

Day and his wife Jennifer have a 10-month-old daughter Hayle.

“We had not been living together but we were trying to work things out,” she said. “Robert had troubles (with the law) in Napa County in the past, but he had really changed since he became a father. He was great with our daughter.”

Day said her husband, who worked in construction while living in Napa, had gone to Orange County to be with friends who she believed could give him the support he needed to turn his life around.

Day said her husband left Napa in July.

“He is going to be cremated in Riverside and his ashes will be sent home to Napa for burial,” Jennifer said. “It’s been really a tough time for me. There are so many questions that have not been answered ... and there is our baby, how will I ever explain this to her?”

30 comment(s)

mofosheee wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:13 AM:

" Should have been titled; "Napan's husband murdered......"

Thugs with a gun and a badge "

calisa wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:24 AM:

" So this "off duty" officer had a high speed chase, an altercation and fired his weapon all with his 13 month old in the car......don't even know what to say about that. "

Maya wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:32 AM:

" That police officer disgusts me! "

tribal1 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:36 AM:

" i met this family briefly a few months ago and Robert was a very funny guy and together they would make my stomach ache from laughing so hard and so much. there baby girl is a true precious moment what a sad story my heart goes out to you(Jennifer and Hayle). Robert may you rest in peace. my prayers are with you and your family. "

MarshaMarsha wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:16 AM:

" My deepest sympathies go out to Jennifer and Hayle. Such a tragedy.

What disgusts me is that this would usually be a "his word against my word" situation, but since officer Mendez has murdered the only other true witness he gets to make up whatever story he feels will justify his actions.

It's possible that this "high speed chase" was actually Robert Day running for his life from a road rager with a gun. Lots of possibilities, but no telling what really happened. "

napa wine guy wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:46 AM:

" The Los Angeles Police Department on Tuesday identified the officer as Antonio Mendez, an employee of two years with the LAPD's Office of Operations. As is standard in officer-involved shootings, Mendez was placed on administrative leave, said Officer Ana Aguirre, an LAPD spokeswoman.
TWO YEARS!!!!!! "

14obama wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:50 AM:

" "Mess with my Hummer and I'll kill ya" !

Strange world we live in ! "

B-Side wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:01 AM:

" Just one of many reasons to avoid LA. "

Dwayne wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:03 AM:

" Classic road rage, but this time it was a cop who was in a rage.

The typical 'internal investigation' will find the shooting justified.

mofosheee had it right.... "

truth wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:26 AM:

" And here come the cop-bashers...again.
Give your mouths a rest people. You have absulutely zero idea what really happened, and no right to denounce the officer. "

musikluvr wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:55 AM:

" Based on the wife's comments it looks like there is a lot more to this than is being reported. I think we are lucky to have off duty police officers out there and armed. I'd rather be around one of them than be helpless around some bad guys. I'd like to see what would happen when a couple of armed off duty policemen are sitting in an Oakland restaurant when some bad guys try their tricks. "

NUHS67 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:13 PM:

" My condolences to Jennifer Day. What I can say about it is: The officer was responding to a hit and run and the officer was doing his duty to protect other people. Disgust may be caused by ignorance of the facts. "

someguyinnapa wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:14 PM:

" see; guns don't kill people!

people do!

mendez... what a chump! "

NUHS67 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:12 PM:

" My condolences to Jennifer Day. The officer was doing his duty to protect other people.. The facts as reported do not lead me to disgust but joy that Officer Mendez's son was not hurt in the hit and run accident and sadness as the events led to the death of Mr. Day "

VJ07 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:36 PM:

" Sad, sad story... NEVER should have happened! He took a mans life, and for what?? A few scratches on his precious vehicle?! That officer should be fired and charged with murder! Very sad... "

tribal1 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:36 PM:

" excuse me but a sideswipe does not justify this officer to kill an UNARMED man and put his son in jeopardy by going in pursuit of Mr. Day.As an officer he should be able to handle such situations in a better manner. They exchanged words so the Officer shoots and kills him. Why didn't he call for assistance when he was sideswiped saying he is an off duty officer and explain what has happened?What a shame.My codolences to Hayle and Jennifer.
Musikluvr: What are you talking about? "

VJ07 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:43 PM:

" O.k. If the story is told accurately, this should have been a "typical" hit and run. But no. The officer took things into his own hands, even with his baby in the vehicle. Is he above the law? What happened to getting a plate number, description, and calling 911? Let the on-duty officers handle it! Leave your temper and EGO at home! "

Dwayne wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:56 PM:

" truth wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:26 AM:
" And here come the cop-bashers...again.
Give your mouths a rest people. You have absulutely zero idea what really happened, and no right to denounce the officer. "

Yes of course, and shooting an unarmed man did society a great favor.....

You pro-cop people want to use deadly force if someone sticks their tongue out... That's just insane.... "

VJ07 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 2:19 PM:

" In reading the article in the L.A. Times, it says that the "two were exchanging information, when the officer shot the man in the upper body." It also states that the officer gave a story about the man involved trying to take his son from the Hummer. Hmmmmm... "

VJ07 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 2:31 PM:

" Correction. The L.A. Times states that the two were exchanging information when the officer "fired at the motorist". "

db76 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 3:46 PM:

" If Day had just pulled over immediately, which is what he was supposed to do after an accident, this wouldn't have happened. From what I read in the article, Day was at fault. "

MarkMiwords wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:05 PM:

" If you ignore the fact that Mr. Mendez is a policeman, how would this story read? Like a case of out of control road rage. "

db76 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:56 PM:

" Sounds like more of a case of hit and run followed by self-defense. "

ADark1 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:09 PM:

" Dwayne wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:03 AM:
" Classic road rage, but this time it was a cop who was in a rage.

The typical 'internal investigation' will find the shooting justified.

mofosheee had it right.... "

Dwayne you're scaring me we actually agree!
db76 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:56 PM:
" Sounds like more of a case of hit and run followed by self-defense. " Uhmmmm WHAT? Lets see 1 guy had a gun the other one didn't...Guess someone didn't get a throwaway piece so he could use the self defense angle...But, as usual, I'll wait till I see ALL the facts...no doubt they will once again side with the officer! "

elb wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:19 PM:

" Seems rather extreme since this 'trained officer' could have simply taken down the license plate and description of the fellow and nailed him later for the repairs.

I mean that is what the rest of us "untrained" folk do and we eventually receive restitution for repairs, (Unless the person at fault is lacking insurance, of course).

Why did this cop have to resort to gunfire? He better have a darned good reason, darned good! "

Winewoman wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:09 AM:

" Once again, we don't know the whole story here and everyone is in mob mode. Use your critical thinking skills, people. A "news" article, like any form of media, can form and manipulate your opinion for you -depending on how its written and/or edited. It's scarey to think that intelligent people would allow themselves to be manipulated into strong positions without knowing all of the facts. "

villa wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:28 PM:

" This guy has been a screw up his entire life I know he left behind two kids 26 and 24. He never paid one dime of child support and sent his first wife off with a broken nose. All you bleeding hart liberals need to wake up this guy was a sorry individual. Thank God he he had no impact on the family he left behind. I am trully sorry for the woman and her 10 month old baby may God be with them. "

XMAN wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:06 AM:

" The use of deadly force in dealing with a misdemeanor? This is over the top. Criminally, the officer will have much scrutiny over his actions and may be be subject to prosecution for manslaughter. Civilly, the City of Los Angeles had better get out their checkbook. Condolences to the widow.
Much sorrow for her loss. "

barefoot wrote on Sep 11, 2008 5:53 PM:

" I would like to hear from any witnesses. Pursuing a vehicle with no lights and sirens puts a whole bunch of innocent lives in danger. Furthermore, a Hummer is not the safest vehicle to be swerving in and out of traffic at high speeds. Did the off duty police officer call for back up, or is it against the law for an off duty police officer to use the cell phone while driving? Something's fishy. "

s-wang wrote on Nov 24, 2008 3:55 PM:

" I HAD KNOWN ROBERT DAY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, HE WORKED FOR ME FOR ATLEAST 4 YEARS IN WHICH TIME I SAW HIM DAILY. I HONESTLY HAVE NOT A SINGLE BAD THING TO SAY ABOUT HIM. R.I.P. ROBERT DAY YOU WILL BE MISSED!!! "

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