Behind the Badge
A Go Fund Me page in honor of Palm Springs Officer Lesley Zerebny has raised nearly $60,000 to help her husband and 4-month-old daughter.
Zerebny was one of two officers killed Saturday in what authorities say appears to be a planned attack against peace officers. The suspect, 26-year-old John Hernandez Felix, was arrested Sunday after a 12-hour standoff with police.
When Felix was arrested, he was wearing soft body armor and had several high-capacity magazines on him. He was charged with two counts of murder of a peace officer.
Zerebny was 27 years old and had joined the Palm Springs PD 18 months ago. She recently had returned to the department from maternity leave.
She and Officer Jose “Gil” Vega were responding to reports of a domestic disturbance when the suspect inside the house opened fire.
Vega, a 35-year veteran of the force, was expected to retire in December. The father of eight was not scheduled to work the day he was killed, but had taken an overtime shift to help his colleagues.
A third officer was injured in the incident and is expected to recover.
Zerebny’s Go Fund Me page was set up by academy classmates of her husband, Zack, a Riverside sheriff’s deputy. Go HERE to donate to the memorial fund.
The page goal is set at $100,000.
Offier Lesley Zerebny at her swearing in ceremony 18 months ago. Photo courtesy Palm Springs PD.
