Reedley Police Officer Javier Bejar was taken off life support this morning and passed away at approximately 5:30 a.m.  Officer Bejar was the second officer mortally wounded in the Minkler/Fresno County incident  that unfolded on February 25.  The incident began around 9:40 a.m. at a mobile home set on 20 acres in the town of Minkler.  Officers were assisting Cal Fire in serving an arrest warrant connected to investigations into a recent series of reported arsons and shooting incidents.

After attempting to make contact and ordering occupants out of the residence with no response, officers broke down the door.  Upon entry the suspect opened fire, killing Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy Joel Wahlenmaier and wounding Deputy Mark Harris. The suspect then barricaded himself inside the home and continued shooting as additional officers arrived to assist.  Shortly after police set up a perimeter, Reedley Police Officer Javier Bejar (28) was hit in a subsequent exchange of gunfire.

The body of the suspect, Ricky Liles (51), was found at approximately 5 p.m. inside the mobile home.  A woman believed to be Liles’ wife had emerged from the home about an hour earlier.

Before joining the Reedley Police Department, Officer Bejar served in the U.S. Marines with tours in Iraq and Kuwait. He is survived by his wife of two years.

FUNERAL SERVICES

DATE/TIME:  Monday, March 8th, 2010, 10 a.m.
LOCATION:  Fresno Exhibit Hall 848 M Street in Fresno

Interment will take place at approximately 1:00 p.m. at the Reedley Cemetery, located at 2185 S. Reed Avenue.

The Reedley POA has set up the Javier Bejar Support Fund at Chase Banks.  Contributions can be made at any Chase Bank Location.