Retired Murrieta Police Officer Jeff Stotts Dies

MURRIETA, CA — Retired Murrieta Police Officer Jeff Stotts, a husband and father, who had a 28-year career in law enforcement, passed away unexpectedly, the Murrieta Police Department announced Wednesday.

Stotts worked as a reserve police officer with the Los Alamitos Police Department and as a deputy with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department before joining the Murrieta agency in July 1992, as one of its original officers.

Mayor Gene Wunderlich has authorized the lowering of all city flags to half-staff in Stotts' honor.

During his years with the Murrieta PD, Stotts worked patrols and as a school resource officer with the Murrieta Valley Unified School District.

"He had a passion for helping youth in the community and loved working as a school resource officer," Murrieta police said on a social-media post, adding that "Jeff was very well known within the community, where he lived and worked."

The father of two was involved in youth sports and coached his children’s sports teams.

During his police career, Stotts was awarded numerous department commendations and accolades from other law enforcement agencies and the community "for his excellent job performance," the Murrieta department said.

He retired from the force July 1, 2015.

Stotts is survived by his wife, son and daughter.

Services will be Friday, Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. at Calvary Chapel Murrieta, at 24225 Monroe Ave. in Murrieta, and are open to the public.

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