About On June 6, 2020, Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller was killed in the line of duty while serving Santa Cruz County. Sergeant Gutzwiller grew up in Santa Cruz County, owned his first home in the Willowbrook Neighborhood and frequented Willowbrook Park with his dog Shasta. This Memorial will ensure Damon's sacrifice is never forgotten.
The Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, a non-profit community outreach organization, is leading this memorial effort, sponsored by the non-profit County Park Friends. Partners include the Santa Cruz County Parks Department and District 2 County Supervisor Zach Friend.
View of the Eternal Flag from the Memorial Bench Area
Major Donors to the Willowbrook Park Memorial Tribute to Sergeant Damon Gutzweiller will be recognized on the main park plaque at the following levels:
Patrons Level: All donors who donate $100,000 or more will be listed Santa Cruz Deputy Sheriffs Association, County of Santa Cruz Advocates Level: All donors who donate between $25,000 and $99,999 will be listed Kaiser Permanente, Capitola-Aptos Rotary Club
Champions Level: All donors who donate between $5,000 and $24,999 will be listed Mari Rossi, Christann Bohnet, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Robert and Carol Simpkins Family Fund, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of California and its member contractors Granite Construction, Graniterock, and XL Construction, Michael Hill, The Strock Family.
Friends Level: All donors who donate between $1,000 and $4,999 will be listed Dr. Edward Menges & Mrs. Debra D. Menges, Geri Zaballos, Michael Zaballos, Theresa Zaballos Bush, & Laurie Zaballos Flores, Santa Cruz County DA Inspectors Association, Justin Williams, Christine Swannack, The Sunnyvale Public Safety Officers' Association, K&S Ryan Family Trust, Robert W Fifield, Dan & Gracia Krakauer - Red Apple Cafe - Aptos, Allen Property Group, Twin Lakes Church, Granite Construction, Eric Wisotsky, Gary Stephen and Mary Ann McConnell, Charlotte Moreno - Lillian's Italian Kitchen, Ariadne Symons, Paul Tashiro
Below: Memorial concept drawings, courtesy of SSA Landscape Architects
Click above to donate online and for information about how to:
Mail a check to: County Park Friends Subject line: Willowbrook Memorial, 870 17th Ave STE 2 Santa Cruz, CA 95062 We also accept: Gifts of Stock ACH/EBT Transfers Corporate Matches County Park Friends has a Platinum rating on Guidestar
Our Mission is to preserve, protect, improve and promote the use of Santa Cruz County parks and open spaces for recreational activities, arts and cultural activities to benefit all generations in our diverse community. Donations to County Park Friends are tax deductible as a 501(c)(3) organization Tax ID #77-0209249