The partner of slain San Diego Police Officer Archie Buggs spoke Wednesday about what happened the evening his partner was shot and killed.
It's taken 36 years for Jesse Navarro to share the story of when his partner was gunned down in the Skyline area.
He spoke at a special event hosted by the San Diego Police Historical Association at the San Diego Police Museum downtown.
It was 1978.
Buggs, a four-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department, was fatally shot by a then-17-year-old Jesus Cecena.
“I can remember that night, my friends, like it happened a few minutes ago,” Navarro told a group Wednesday evening.
Navarro says, in the locker room, Buggs kept on him about wearing his bullet proof vest. He was that kind of partner.
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“He said, ‘Please. I want you to wear it’ and I said ‘Okay,’” Navarro recalled.
The two usually left at the same time to patrol, but that night Navarro's supervisor requested he stay behind for a few minutes.
When Navarro heard a call requesting units respond to an officer down, everything stopped.
He just started driving...fast.
“I’ve never driven faster in my life than that night. I drove over 100 mph. I don't know what streets I was going to,” he said.
By the time he got to the scene, his partner was down.
“I ran I held him in my arms hoping that he would still be alive but I think that was on his last breath,” he said.
[[294148181,C]] Since then, a parole board has recommended Buggs' killer be paroled.
According to parole hearing transcripts one of the reasons for Cecena's release at the age of 52 is that officials believe he has matured to a point he doesn't pose a violent risk.
Once again, Navarro raced to his partner's aid.
‘When I heard he was about to be released, I said ‘No way,’” Navarro said.
Navarro crafted a letter to appeal the parole board’s decision.
The DA’s office, the head of the police union and other police officers have written letters to the governor who has the ability to over-ride the parole board's decision.
