SantaMariaPoliceUpdate by the Santa Maria Police Department
December 2, 2022
The Santa Maria Police Department remains committed to transparency. After carefully evaluating any effect the release may have on the integrity of the investigation and the degree of community interest in the incident, we have created a critical incident community briefing video to share with our community members.
WARNING: The Santa Maria Police Department cautions all viewers, as the content of this Critical Incident Community Briefing contains graphic content.
To view the video in English or Spanish, visit https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/departments/police-services/police-news-briefs under heading “Community Incident Community Briefing.” The video will also be available on the Police Department’s social media channels, @SMPDHQ.
The officer involved in this incident has been identified as Erik Hesch, an eight-year veteran. Per department policy, Officer Hesch was initially placed on administrative leave immediately following the incident. After an initial assessment of the incident, he returned to duty on November 21st, 2022.
The suspect has been identified as Salvador Maceda, a 36-year-old Santa Maria resident.
The criminal and administrative investigations into this critical incident are still on-going, therefore, no additional information is available.
Santa Maria Police Investigating Officer Involved Shooting
By the Santa Maria Police Department
October 31, 2022
On 10-30-22, at approximately 2221 hours, an SMPD officer contacted a male suspect during an investigation in the 1000 block of W. Morrison Ave. During the encounter, the suspect threatened officers with a weapon and refused to comply with verbal commands, even after less lethal impact projectiles were deployed. The suspect fled running to a nearby apartment complex where he hid behind a barrier. Over the course of the next two hours, officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and brought in FBI trained crisis negotiators, but still, he refused to disarm or surrender. While armed, the suspect attempted to forcibly break into an apartment occupied by uninvolved residents which led to an officer involved shooting. The suspect passed away from his injuries.
The suspect, whose name is being withheld pending notification to his family, was on active probation for resisting officers by use of threats or force. At the time of this incident, there was an outstanding warrant for the arrest of the suspect for violation of probation.
The Santa Maria Police Department takes use of force by its officers seriously and will conduct an internal investigation to ensure Department polices were properly followed. An independent criminal investigation will be conducted by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff Department and later be reviewed by the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office to determine if the actions of the officers were lawful.
Due to the on-going nature of this investigation, no additional details will be released at this time.
The Santa Maria Police Department will make additional information available as the investigation progresses.
