Dominic Durden

Dominic Durden

Durden in 2006 on his first day as a 911 dispatcher
Born Dominic Daniel Durden
(1982-01-22)January 22, 1982
Nuremberg, Germany
Died July 12, 2012(2012-07-12) (aged 30)
Moreno Valley, California
Education Canyon Springs High School, Riverside Community College
Occupation 911 Dispatcher for Riverside Sherriff’s Department
Parent(s) R. Durden and Sabine Durden
Website domhugs.com

Dominic Daniel "Dom" Durden (January 22, 1982 - July 12, 2012)[1] was a German-American Dispatcher for the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Department in Moreno Valley, California who died in a motorcycle accident on July 12, 2012 when an unlicensed, uninsured and unregistered driver who was in the United States illegally and without authorization collided his truck into Dominic, who was on his motorbike.

Life and career

Early years

Dominic was born on January 22, 1982 in Nuremberg, Germany, the only child of Sabine Durden, and her then-husband, Ricky. At age 10, Dominic and his family moved to the United States where they planted roots in Moreno Valley, California. He was a Canyon Springs High School graduate. He was profiled by The Press-Enterprise in 2001 as a student at Riverside Community College who had recently produced an earthquake-preparedness video for the city of Moreno Valley. He was also a former volunteer firefighter/ Fire Apparatus Engineer and 2002 Moreno Valley volunteer of the year. He participated in drills, went out on emergency calls and performed administrative duties for the Moreno Valley Fire Department. Dominic won a gold medal in a state video-production contest. He turned an internship with the city into a volunteer position and then a part-time job with its television station, MVTV-3.

Dominic was a licensed private pilot. He enjoyed flying small planes on quick getaways: he flew to Las Vegas for a weekend trip prior to his death.

Dominic was recognized on numerous occasions for his work in the community receiving 87 letters of recommendations along with 111 school and work award certificates, some of which were awarded to him by former President Bill Clinton and Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbra Boxer. In 2002 he also received Volunteer of the Year Award for over 1000 hours of community service in Moreno Valley. In 2006, Dominic became a 911 dispatcher for the Riverside Sheriff’s Department. As much as Dominic was fond of being a dispatcher, his ultimate goal was to become a helicopter pilot for the Moreno Valley Police Department.

Personal life

Dominic was never married and had no children. He shared a home with his best friend, and mother, Sabine Durden in Moreno Valley, California.

Death

On July 12, 2012 at 5:45 am Dominic was on his way to work at the 911 Riverside Sheriffs Department for his morning shift. He was traveling southbound on Pigeon Pass Road in the left lane between 30 -40 mph when Juan Tzun Lopez, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, traveling on the northbound lanes, turned in front of him in his red 1989 Toyota pickup driving approximately 50 mph when he attempted to make a left turn onto Chambray Drive. The motorcycle collided with the pickup, throwing Durden from his motorcycle onto the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Lopez attempted to flee the scene of the accident, however, two witnesses, one who was a former U.S. Marine, detained him until the authorities arrived. Because of his work in the community, Dominic was honored posthumously with the Mayoral Proclamation recognizing his service to the city of Moreno Valley on December 18, 2012. In 2013 his mother accepted the Presidential award from CPRA (California Public Safety Radio Association). Riverside Sheriff’s Department created the Dominic Durden Top 911 Dispatcher Award that is handed out at every graduation to the best new Dispatcher.

Aftermath

Lopez was being investigated for vehicular manslaughter without negligence, said Officer Steve Carapia, spokesman for the Highway Patrol’s Riverside office. Lopez was not licensed to drive, Carapia said. Court documents show Lopez had a prior felony conviction for grand theft in 2009. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Rafael Arreola imposed the sentence called for under the plea agreement which was nine months in jail and five years probation and also ordered Lopez to pay $18,800 in victim restitution. Lopez spent 1.5 years at the Immigration Detention Center in Adelanto and was deported back to Guatemala March 2014.

Resolution

Dominic's mother Sabine has continued to fight to keep illegal immigrants out of the United States. She testified before a Judiciary Committee in Washington DC in 2013 and July, 2015, she appeared with Republican Presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump in his attempts to rally the cause for immigration reform. She also appeared on CNN with Poppy Harlow, on FOX News with Sean Hannity, Neil Cavuto, Greta van Sustren, FOX and Friends and with Laura Ingram. She is lobbying to have so-called "Sanctuary Cities", cities that do not actively search, prosecute, or detain unauthorized immigrants, defunded by the federal government. In July 2015, Sabine traveled to Washington D.C. to speak in front of the Congressional Judiciary Committee on immigration. She shared Dominic’s story and what the impact his passing has had on behalf of his community and to other victim's families. Sabine has petitioned President Barack Obama to meet with her and others affected by illegal immigration. President Obama has not responded to the request.

References

  1. ↑ Born in 1982 per Intelius check of "Dominic D. Durden" giving age of 30 as of July 12, 2012
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