Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station deputies remembered Deputy Hagop “Jake” Kuredjian on Tuesday, exactly 20 years after being fatally shot by a suspect in an officer-involved shooting in Stevenson Ranch.  

Surrounded by loved ones and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies on Tuesday morning, Jake’s memorial plaque on the corner of Stevenson Ranch Parkway and Poe Parkway serves as a symbol of the deputy’s bravery. Each year, on the anniversary of his death, deputies conduct a 24-hour watch of the site.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of one of our fallen partners, Deputy Hagop “Jake” Kuredjian, whose life was tragically taken in the line of duty on 08-31-01. He was with @LASDHQ for 17 years, assigned to the SCV Sheriff’s Station. His memory continues to live in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/U5z9aRb88u

— SCV Sheriff (@SCVSHERIFF) August 31, 2021

“We know you’re looking down upon us today and every day, probably a smile, probably a tear. Probably a little bit of laughter. Probably pride in your face,” said Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station Captain Justin Diez. “We know that you’re a guardian angel, watching over us during all our close calls in our daily events. Our SCV community, our SCV station, and the entire Sheriff’s Department, we’ll never forget the events of August 31.”

On Aug. 31, 2001, Deputy Kuredjian, 40, was fatally shot after responding to a call of “shots fired” in Stevenson Ranch, where Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents were serving a search warrant.

Deputy Jake Kuredjian

“You never know when something is going to happen — this is a dangerous job when you sign on for it,” said Deputy Gregory Hutt of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, in a previous story. “He was going to help, he got the call and rushed to it. He wanted to help and he wasn’t one to stand back.”

Among those to speak at Tuesday’s event were Kuredjian’s brother Garo Kuredjian and Captain Diez, who reflected on Jake’s life and the impact he has continued to have.

“My brother was a deputy out here in Santa Clarita for several years, he was with the Sheriff’s office for almost 17 and a half years, and on Aug. 31 he responded to a call to assist other officers and federal officers with the A.T.F. here in Stevenson Ranch and it was just a tragic, tragic day that we’ll never forget,” said Garo Kuredjian in a previous KHTS article. 

Deputy Kuredjian was a passionate, decorated officer. In 1989, he was awarded the Sheriff’s Department’s Gold Meritorious Conduct Medal by former-Sheriff Sherman Block for saving the life of a woman clinging to a small tree branch atop a cliff in Malibu.

“True heroes take courage, competence and commitment,” Garo Kuredjian said during the memorial. “I chose to become a police officer because of Jake’s example. Jake was someone that was larger than life. He knew how to handle himself in every situation. He knew when to talk and more importantly, to listen, to be patient, but also when to take action. He was a great big brother.”

Also a passionate motorcyclist, Kuredjian had been assigned to a motorcycle position six months before he was killed.

Jade Aubuchon / KHTS News

“We’re all here today to mourn his passing, and also celebrate his life,” said Captain Diez. “As we stand here at this monument, uninterrupted for 24 hours, you know Jake was tragically taken from us doing what he loved to do, and that was being a deputy sheriff. He was on his Kawasaki motorcycle that he cherished so much.”

During the shootout, Kuredjian, the popular motorcycle deputy, responded to the department’s call for backup within minutes after the suspect opened fire in the Stevenson Ranch neighborhood. 

Kuredjian reportedly took cover behind a Ford Explorer in front of the suspect’s home when the suspect moved from the first floor to the second, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

The suspect opened fire and a bullet penetrated Kuredjian’s helmet before entering his right temple, according to the L.A. Times. 

As a symbol of gratitude for Kuredjian’s service, an engraved monument dedicated to Kuredjian was unveiled in 2001, at the corner of Stevenson Ranch Parkway and Poe Parkway, as a reminder to the community to keep his memory alive.

“Every year we will meet here in this exact location for generations to come and Jake’s memory will be etched in the fabric of this community,” Captain Diez said. “I think it’s safe to say that sometimes tragedy sparks change. Sometimes it sparks friendship, togetherness. Sometimes community bonds, but the events of Aug. 31, 2001 I think sparked all of those things. So as we stand here today I ask all of you to say a prayer for Jake, say a prayer for Jake’s family and say a prayer for the entire Sheriff’s Department.”

Jade Aubuchon / KHTS News

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.