Andrew Nunez was the kind of deputy who made people feel safe just by showing up. On Monday evening, the 28-year-old San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy responded to what should have been a routine domestic-violence call in Rancho Cucamonga. Minutes later, he was gone — leaving behind a wife, a toddler, and an unborn child whose world will never be the same.
The heartbreak has rippled across California, from his hometown to the state capitol. Flags are flying at half-staff. And strangers — people who never met him — are lighting candles, posting tributes, and calling him a hero.
The night that changed everything for Andrew Nunez
It happened fast. Around 4 p.m., Andrew and his partner were dispatched to the 12300 block of Hollyhock Drive, near the busy Victoria Gardens area. What started as a call for help spiraled into tragedy when gunfire erupted.
Nunez was hit in the head. Backup officers rushed him to a nearby hospital, but despite desperate efforts, he didn’t make it.
“Andrew was one of the good ones — soft-spoken, always smiling, always ready to back you up,” a fellow deputy shared quietly outside the Rancho Cucamonga station Monday night, his voice breaking.
The suspect fled on a motorcycle, sparking a heart-pounding chase along the 210 Freeway at speeds topping 150 mph. Police eventually caught up after a crash in Upland — a pursuit that ended only after another off-duty officer helped bring the suspect down.
That chase, now etched into Southern California’s evening news reels, feels almost cinematic — but for those who loved Nunez, it’s a nightmare that won’t fade when the cameras stop rolling.
A young family left behind
Andrew Nunez wasn’t just a deputy. He was a husband, a father, and about to become a dad again. His wife, whose name has been withheld for privacy, is expecting their second child — a fact that’s hit colleagues and the public especially hard.
Photos circulating online show Nunez at a community BBQ, his toddler daughter perched on his shoulders, both grinning ear to ear. “He lived for his family,” a friend told CBS Los Angeles. “He worked extra shifts just to make sure they’d be okay.”
When Governor Gavin Newsom ordered flags at half-staff, he called Nunez’s death “a devastating loss for our state and every Californian who relies on those who protect us.”
The Sheriff’s Department has since draped black ribbons over its badges and patrol cars. It’s the kind of symbol that needs no words — you just feel it.
Andrew Nunez’s final act of service
In the line of duty, moments define legacies. For Nunez, that moment was courage — walking into danger to protect others.
According to reports from ABC7 Los Angeles, he had been with the department for six years, serving with distinction in the Rancho Cucamonga station. Colleagues described him as “steady under pressure” and “the guy you’d want watching your back.”
His final radio call — “shots fired, officer down” — now echoes in dispatch recordings that officers can barely stand to replay.
It’s the call every cop dreads. And yet, as one sergeant said through tears, “He still answered it. That’s who Andrew was.”
How the community is honoring him
By sunset Monday, hundreds of people gathered near the Sheriff’s station, candles flickering in the autumn breeze. Kids wore tiny blue ribbons. Motor units stood in a solemn line, headlights casting halos on the pavement.
One woman held a handmade sign: “Thank you, Deputy Nunez. You kept us safe.”
On Facebook, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department shared, “We are heartbroken by the loss of Deputy Nunez. Our thoughts are with his family, his partners, and every member of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department tonight.”
The comments section overflowed with condolences:
“Praying for his wife and babies.”
“He deserved to come home.”
“Rest easy, hero.”
Even people who usually scroll past headlines stopped — because something about this story feels personal. Maybe it’s because Andrew was so young. Or because he died doing something selfless that most of us can only imagine having the courage to do.
Remembering the man behind the badge
Friends describe Nunez as a quiet joker — the kind who could defuse tension in a room with a quick grin. He loved motorcycles and was saving up for a family trip to Yosemite next spring.
“He wasn’t the loudest guy,” another deputy recalled, “but when he spoke, you listened. He cared — really cared — about people.”
At his core, Andrew Nunez was a protector — of his community, of his family, of anyone who needed help. And that’s how people will remember him.
Public voices rising
On social media, tributes are flooding in from fellow officers, celebrities, and everyday people. Country artist Craig Morgan shared, “Heroes walk among us every day. Deputy Nunez — thank you for your sacrifice.”
Meanwhile, residents are organizing a GoFundMe to support his wife and children. Within hours, donations topped tens of thousands of dollars — proof that even in grief, kindness spreads fast.
And in Rancho Cucamonga, where neighbors are still shaken, one small moment stood out: a child leaving a crayon drawing at the memorial. It read, “Thank you for keeping my mommy safe.” Sometimes, a simple message says everything.
Andrew Nunez’s story isn’t just about tragedy — it’s about bravery, love, and the quiet strength that keeps a community together after it breaks.
In a world where headlines move too fast, this one makes people pause. Because at 28, Andrew still had so much life ahead of him — and yet, in his final act, he gave it all for others.
Rest easy, Deputy Nunez. California won’t forget you.
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Nishant Wagh is the founder of The Graval and a seasoned digital journalist with over 15 years of experience covering entertainment, media, and culture. He specializes in breaking news and trending stories told with accuracy, context, and depth.
