California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 14

Introduced by Assembly Member Yamada

February 11, 2013

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 14—Relative to the Deputy Tony Diaz, Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, Memorial Rest Area.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 14, as introduced, Yamada. Deputy Tony Diaz, Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, Memorial Rest Area.

This measure would designate the rest area in the Town of Dunnigan, California on Interstate 5 as the Deputy Tony Diaz, Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, Memorial Rest Area. The measure would request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost for appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those signs.

Fiscal committee: yes.

WHEREAS, Jose Antonio “Tony” Diaz was born in Jacona,
Mexico, on September 20, 1970, to Rafael and Carolina Diaz, and
grew up with his nine sisters and brothers in Dixon, California;
and

WHEREAS, During the summers of 1986 to 1989, he worked
tirelessly in the fields of farmers in Solano County; and

WHEREAS, After completing high school, Tony assisted
farmworkers as Assistant Program Services Manager with the
Human Development Corporation, and after transferring to the
corporate office, he developed a passion for computer technology;
and

WHEREAS, In 1999, the Yolo County Information Technology
(IT) Department hired Tony and assigned him to the Yolo County
Sheriff’s Office; and

WHEREAS, While assigned to IT he became interested in law
enforcement and attended the Yuba College Police Academy in
2004; and

WHEREAS, The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office hired Tony on
August 22, 2004, and his peers described him as a gentle,
hardworking man who was proud of his family and community;
and

WHEREAS, Tony loved soccer so much he coached the
Woodland Flames and the Woodland Blaze teams for nine years
with the Woodland Soccer Club; and

WHEREAS, On June 15, 2008, Deputy Diaz attempted to stop
a known parolee suspected of driving under the influence with a
child in the vehicle; and

WHEREAS, After he failed to yield, Deputy Diaz pursued the
driver into the town of Dunnigan, where he stopped on County
Road 5 near County Road 99W. The suspect fled on foot and while
Deputy Diaz checked on the child in the vehicle, was shot from
behind; and

WHEREAS, Officer Diaz succumbed to his injuries a few hours
later at Woodland Memorial Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Deputy Diaz’s name was engraved into the National
Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, and the
California Peace Officers Memorial at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Deputy Diaz is survived by his wife Silvia and
three beautiful children: Angelica, Jessica, and Alejandra Diaz;
now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the rest
area in Dunnigan on Interstate 5 as the Deputy Tony Diaz, Yolo
County Sheriff’s Office, Memorial Rest Area; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested
to determine the cost of erecting the appropriate signs, consistent
with the signage requirements for the state highway system,
showing this special designation, and upon receiving donations
from nonstate sources covering the cost, to erect those signs; and
be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
of this resolution to the Department of Transportation and to the
author for appropriate distribution.