Police to honor SLO County boy killed in hit-and-run as a ‘local hero’
The Atascadero Police Department will posthumously award an honorary lifesaving medal to the 11-year-old boy who was killed in a hit-and-run last month, calling him a “local hero.”
The last thing José Gutiérrez said to his friends he walked home from Atascadero Middle School on March 14 was “look out!” before a truck that came barreling off El Camino Real hit and killed him. The warning saved one of his friends’ life.
The suspected driver, 31-year-old Zachary Bernal, was charged with felony vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and felony hit-and-run resulting in death. He pleaded not guilty to the crimes in an emotional court hearing attended by many of José’s family members.
The award reflects José’s final heroic act, the Police Department said in a news release. The honorary lifesaving medal is one of the highest honors the department can bestow, the agency said.
María Orozco, José’s mother, told The Tribune on March 20 that her son had hopes of becoming a police officer — a dream he used talk about as he laid on her chest.
“In his final moments, he live out the profession’s core values — courage, duty, and the protection of others — exemplifying what it truly means to serve,” the Police Department said in a news release.
The ceremony will take place Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of Atascadero City Hall, 6500 Palma Ave.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of this brave young boy,” Atascadero Police Chief Dan Suttles said in the news release. “But we are also deeply moved by his heroism. He may never have worn the badge, but he showed the heart and spirit of a true officer. We are honored to call him one of our own.”
This story was originally published April 21, 2025 at 11:49 AM.
