Victorville to Install Memorial Sign Honoring Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr. at Site of Fatal Crash

VICTORVILLE, Calif. (VVNG.com) — The Victorville City Council has unanimously approved a motion to place a memorial sign at the intersection of Seneca and El Evado roads, where San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr. was killed in the line of duty during a vehicle pursuit on March 17, 2025.

The decision came during the April 15 City Council meeting. Mayor Elizabeth “Liz” Becerra introduced the item in memory of Deputy Cuevas, highlighting his years of service to the Victorville community.

“Being that I brought this item in memory of Hector Cuevas who tragically lost his life in the line of duty on March 17, 2025, at the intersection of El Evado and Seneca Road, would like to honor his memory and the six years that he dedicated service — three years being in our community — place a memorial sign at this location at wherever traffic feels that it’s safe to put up,” said Becerra.

Deputy Cuevas, 36, died at the scene after his patrol car collided with another vehicle during the pursuit of a stolen vehicle driving at high speeds. His vehicle struck a pole and split in two, according to previous VVNG article.

The suspect, 22-year-old Ryan Dwayne Turner of San Bernardino, is facing charges of murder, evading police causing death, and vehicle theft. He remains held without bail.

City Manager Keith Metzler explained that the city will involve both the family and the community as plans move forward.

“If the council approves this item we’ll actually reach back out to the family to coordinate the effort with them, but we’ll also do some community outreach as well,” said Metzler. “We’ll do some community engagement. I know there’s a lot of memorial stuff still there on the sidewalk and so one of the things that we want to do is have some outreach to the community letting them know that we will in fact be having to clean up the intersection, but as a part of the effort we’ll be in perpetuity having that — recognizing that intersection as a memorial for Deputy Cuevas.”

The estimated cost to create and install four signs is approximately $550, according to the City Clerk’s report. Funds will come from the Public Works budget.

Councilmember Debra Jones offered her support, saying, “Thank you, Madam Mayor, for bringing this to the fore. I think it’s important. I think doing this will be a symbol for decades upon decades about how we care about our community and how we especially care for those who risk their lives every day to love and care and protect the members of our community.”

Deputy Cuevas’ funeral was held on April 17 at the Ontario Convention Center. The service brought together law enforcement officers, friends, family, and community members who remembered him as a man of integrity, strength, and faith.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus delivered the eulogy, stating, “One theme that resonated with all that knew Hector was that he was built different. Hector was self aware of this.”

“Hector Cuevas Jr. was one of the finest examples of a sentinel to have ever worn a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s badge,” Dicus said. “He knew when to be a warrior, and he knew when to be a guardian, but most importantly, he knew that a law enforcement officer represented both roles.”

Dicus described Cuevas as a devoted husband and father. “He was the rock to his wife, Mia, and together, they built a home filled with love and laughter. Hector’s children were his pride, his world and his greatest joy.”

“Hector’s career was filled with courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to protecting others,” Dicus said. “He wasn’t just someone who wore the badge, he embodied what it meant to serve.”

Captain Randy German of the Victorville Station also spoke at the service, recalling the deputy’s reputation among his peers. “In that time, I watched him work tirelessly in both corrections and at the Victorville Station,” German said. “He wasn’t just one of the 137 employees at our station, he was one of the hardest-working deputies whoever walked through the station doors.”

Cuevas’ mother, Liz Cuevas, offered an emotional tribute, describing her son’s drive and compassion. “Junior exceeded all expectation, exuding strength, kindness, love and trustworthiness. He set ambitious goals for himself and never let ‘can’t’ be an option. He was an unstoppable force in his pursuit of greatness.”

“As his parents, we feared the unknown. But we also saw the fire in his soul, the drive to follow his dreams, the call to serve,” she said. “All of this was fueled by his innate desire to help others, to stand up for what is right and to make a real difference in his community.”

The city’s decision to dedicate the crash site as an official memorial will stand as a permanent tribute to Deputy Cuevas’ life, sacrifice, and legacy.

Donations to support the Cuevas family can be made at: https://porac.org/fundraiser/seba-cuevas

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