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Photo courtesy Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station.

Fallen Deputy Jake Kuredjian Remembered 15 Years On

Wednesday marks the 15-year anniversary of the death of Hagop “Jake” Kuredjian, a Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputy killed in the line of duty.


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Kuredjian, a 17-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, was fatally shot after responding to call for backup from another deputy, and federal agents, who were serving a warrant for a man impersonating a U.S. Marshall in Stevenson Ranch.  

“In my dealings with him he was super friendly and well-liked by everybody,” said Shirley Miller, a PIO officer for the station who also worked briefly with Kuredjian for two months before his death. “He was a friend to all. When you would come in from the field he always had a smile on his face.”

Deputies in Santa Clarita can be seen wearing long-sleeve uniforms and black ties Wednesday to honor their fellow deputy, Miller said.

On Kuredjian’s final day, as officers attempted to enter a suspect’s house in Brooks Circle through the windows, the man began firing an automatic rifle.

The suspect, who had previously been a police officer, shot Kuredjian, 40, in the head.

“Fifteen years ago, he made the ultimate sacrifice as a deputy. He lost his life while protecting the lives of others,” Miller said.

A standoff ensued Aug. 31, 2001 for the next several hours until the suspect’s house caught fire and burned to the ground.

The suspect, James Allen Beck, who was also on suspicion of stockpiling weapons, died in the fire caused by ignited tear gas canisters, according to SCVHistory.com.

Four thousand people attended his funeral at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, according to SCV History.

In addition to being a Santa Clarita Valley resident, Kuredjian was also a decorated officer after he was awarded the Sheriff’s Department’s Gold Meritorious Conduct Medal for saving the life of a woman clinging to a small tree branch atop a cliff in the City of Malibu in 1989, according to SCVSheriff.com.

An engraved monument dedicated to Kuredjian in Stevenson Ranch was unveiled in 2001 at the corner of Stevenson Ranch Parkway and Poe Parkway.

In 2002, the department dedicated the Jake Kuredjian Memorial Rose Garden at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

A Jake Kuredjian Park is also located at 26265 Pico Canyon Rd., Stevenson Ranch.

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

KHTS AM 1220 - Santa Clarita Radio

Fallen Deputy Jake Kuredjian Remembered 15 Years On

2 comments

  1. Thanks for posting this story. Jake will forever be remembered. He gave his life protecting the citizens of Santa Clarita Valley.

  2. The department is doing an excellent job honoring Jake’s memory. We appreciated you being out here on August 31st. Thank you for all you do during these difficult times.
    A Stevenson Ranch Resisdent

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