Rialto Policeman Shot to Death; Suspect Surrenders After Siege
A Rialto policeman was shot and killed early today in the presence of his wife, an off-duty Fontana policewoman who had been riding with him in his patrol car, a Rialto police spokesman said.
Sgt. Gary Wolfley, 31, was shot to death at a gas station at Foothill Boulevard and Eucalyptus Street while he was answering a 1:30 a.m. disturbance call. His wife, Candice, radioed for help, and other officers chased the suspect to a nearby house in the 400 block of North Acacia Avenue.
The alleged gunman, Dennis Mayfield, 26, of San Bernardino, reportedly entered the home of an elderly man, shot him in the leg and then held him hostage. Mayfield surrendered without further incident after a five-hour standoff.
Mayfield was held for investigation of murder. The hostage, whose name was not immediately released, was hospitalized in stable condition.
A second Rialto officer, Joe Cirilo, 28, suffered minor cuts and scrapes when a bullet crashed through the windshield of his patrol car. He was treated and returned to duty.
A Rialto police spokesman said the incident began as a dispute between three men, including Mayfield, at the all-night service station.
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