http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_3556524

Memorial vandalized
Sign for slain deputy tagged
By Ruby Gonzales Staff Writer
San Gabriel Valley Tribune

DUARTE - Three days after the suspect in the killing of Temple Station sheriff's Deputy David March was arrested in Mexico, vandals tagged one of the freeway memorial signs honoring him.
"Of all the things to tag. Have some respect," said Irwindale Sgt. John Falone.

The vandalized sign is on the westbound Foothill (210) Freeway near Mount Olive Drive. A motorist noticed it Sunday morning. The writing, in black ink, is not legible.

Jorge Arroyo Garcia, also known as Armando Garcia, accused of the 2002 shooting death of March, had been arrested in Mexico on Thursday. Whether that led to the vandalism isn't certain. Deputies don't know who the culprits are.

"I just hope it's coincidental and not just a reaction (to the arrest)," said Lt. Sheila Sanchez of the sheriff's Temple Station. "We did take a report just because we are extremely sensitive to that."

The station is handling the investigation.

March was fatally shot when he pulled over a Nissan Maxima on Live Oak Avenue in Irwindale on April 29, 2002.

The signs that read, "Deputy David M. March Los Angeles County Sheriff Memorial Interchange," were dedicated July 8. Assemblyman Ed Chavez, D-Industry, introduced the resolution to name the interchange after March.

There are four signs for the deputy; two on the 210 Freeway and two on the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway. News of the vandalism came as a surprise to local police and March's widow, Teri. She called the vandalism unfortunate.

"That's just too bad becausewhat Dave was doing that day wasn't personal. Wanting Garcia punished isn't personal, it's just necessary," Teri March said.

She added that she wasn't going to take the incident personally. She doesn't know who might have done it.

"It's not even worth my energy. I'm just so happy about Garcia being captured. The sign can be replaced," Teri March said.

Garcia fled to Mexico after the incident.

The case became an example of how criminal suspects could flee across the border, seemingly out of reach of authorities.

Mexico doesn't extradite suspects who could get the death penalty. And when the Mexican Supreme Court ruled in 2001 that life in prison without the possibility of parole is cruel and unusual punishment, it also barred the extradition of suspects facing a life sentence. But then the court overturned its ruling in November, paving the way for Garcia and other suspects like him to be sent back.

Authorities got a tip that Garcia's uncle in Tonala, Jalisco, Mexico, was in communication with him and staked out that house but didn't know their quarry was actually there. Garcia was arrested by Mexican agents as he left the house.

ruby.gonzales@sgvn.com

(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2718