Thousands Mourn Vallejo Officer Slain in the Line of Duty
Thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects to a police officer slain last week while trying to serve an arrest warrant. Police from across the state joined Vallejo residents Tuesday in a final farewell to Officer Jeff Azuar, 50.
“He was so proud to be a police officer,” said Cpl. James O’Connell, one of the pallbearers. “He had this badge and he shined it so much he wore away the writing, and the chief had to order him a new one.”
A poem written by Azuar’s daughter Amanda, 25, was read by a family friend at the service.
“To protect and serve, that is why you lived,” the poem said. “You brought courage and honor to the badge you wore--you couldn’t have wanted anything more.”
Azuar worked in patrol and narcotics and on the SWAT team until 1993, when he became an officer in the canine unit.
He and another officer were trying to arrest Joseph Robert Teitgen, 34, who was evading a 90-day jail sentence for passing a bad check.
The officers found Teitgen hiding in the garage. Police said Teitgen pulled a handgun and shot Azuar in the head. Teitgen was shot by another officer and was in serious condition at a hospital.
Lt. JoAnn West said Teitgen will be booked for investigation of homicide once he is released from the hospital.
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