Marine died of COVID-19 within days of feeling sick

‘Just loved serving his country’: Marine with Houston ties remembered after dying of coronavirus

Click2Houston
Brandon Walker, Reporter
May 1, 2020

HOUSTON – Staff Sgt. Robert Mendoza was among the few and the proud.

“He just loved serving his country and he was willing to die for his country,” said Yolanda Mendoza, his mother.

Staff Sgt. Mendoza survived war. His assignments took him to Afghanistan in the months following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He braved multiple tours of Iraq. However, it wasn’t the battlefield that lay claim to his life. Mendoza fell victim to COVID-19.

Within days of feeling symptoms, he died at a hospital in San Diego, California — home base since enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in July 1994.

“I don’t even know where to begin with Robert. He knew since middle school he wanted to be a United States Marine,” Yolanda Mendoza said.
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Homeless veteran was assaulted, abandoned by hospital...helped by police officers and angels

"I saw a very frail, frail old man that physically appears much older than 62," Zamudio said.

Spittle later told Zamudio and Voice of San Diego he had been released from Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla after being assaulted in Pacific Beach over the weekend. He believes he has a broken rib and said he was initially unable to walk more than a couple feet.

Marine veteran Steven Spittle, 62...Let that sink in for a minute.

Now here is the story.

Police Turned To Activists For Help After Veteran Was Denied Access To Convention Center

By Voice of San Diego, News Partner
By Lisa Halverstadt
Apr 24, 2020

The city of San Diego is temporarily housing homeless residents at the Convention Center in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus. (Adriana Heldiz/Voice of San Diego)

SAN DIEGO, CA — Marine veteran Steven Spittle, 62, had just been discharged from a local hospital after he said he was assaulted over the weekend. He's lived on the streets for years, so he said hospital staff paid for a cab to drive him to the temporary shelter at the Convention Center on Sunday afternoon.

But there wasn't a bed available for Spittle, who was in pain and too weak to stand. He laid outside the Convention Center, confused and unsure what to do.
v Lacking other options, an officer from the Police Department's Homeless Outreach Team called activist Amie Zamudio, who has teamed with another local activist, Tasha Williamson, to put up vulnerable homeless San Diegans in hotel rooms, to ask if she could take in Spittle for the night. Zamudio said yes and rushed to the Convention Center.

The situation captures the desperation playing out as homeless San Diegans seek shelter that's in limited supply during the coronavirus pandemic and local governments and activists scramble to respond. The mayor and other elected leaders have touted the decision to open the Convention Center to homeless residents as a significant step toward protecting the homeless community during the pandemic. Faulconer even called it "a centerpiece of our fight against the coronavirus," when he announced the facility would open to the homeless. But Spittle's experience demonstrates that the need for shelter is still greater than the capacity.

In the absence of resources, advocates like Zamudio and Williamson, who have temporarily housed more than 50 homeless San Diegans in a Midway hotel – an effort that's separate from the county's plan to house vulnerable residents in hotel rooms – have sometimes filled gaps.
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Marine Veteran’s Family Can Attend Burial in San Diego

Coronavirus Keeps Marine Veteran’s Family From Attending Burial

NBC 7 News San Diego
By Bridget Naso
March 25, 2020

UPDATE ON 3/25: After NBC 7's reporting, Veterans Affairs, which runs the San Diego national cemeteries, reached out to the Chavez family to tell them 10 people would be allowed at the Marine combat vet's funeral. The family told NBC 7 they are grateful.

Also, new guidelines have been set up for national cemeteries. Military honors will not be conducted due to safety reasons, the VA said. Families can postpone internments and 10 family members will be allowed to attend burials with social distancing. Cemeteries are still open for visitation.

The family of Marine combat veteran Jose Chavez is preparing to lay him to rest, but because of the coronavirus pandemic not one family member or friend will be at the ceremonies.

The 62-year-old retired Master Gunnery Sergeant died March 12 after a two-year battle with cancer.
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Disabled, Incarcerated Veterans Moving Forward

San Diego County, City Take Action To Help Disabled, Incarcerated Vets

By City News Service
June 5, 2019

In 2013, the county Sheriff's Department and San Diego Veterans Administration started the Veterans Moving Forward program for male veterans in the Vista jail.

An American flag mural fills an entire exterior wall of bar formerly known as El Uno in City Heights near University Avenue, Nov. 10, 2016.

PHOTO BY NICHOLAS MCVICKER

On Tuesday, the city of San Diego announced a plan to help disabled veterans while the county took a step toward strengthening an outreach program for veterans being held in the Vista Detention Facility.

On a 4-0 vote — Greg Cox was absent — the county Board of Supervisors directed Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer to develop a plan for participants in the Veterans Moving Forward program at the Vista Detention Facility, including options for future housing.

Robbins-Meyer will also find additional vocational training space in the jail, and work with community partners to develop job training and certification opportunities for veterans after they are released. Robbins-Meyer will have up to three months to present the board with a plan.

Supervisor Kristin Gaspar — who along with Jim Desmond recommended the proposal — said the county is home to one of the largest population of veterans in the United States and "adjusting to civilian life is very challenging," especially for those who find themselves in jail.

According to the county, there has been a significant increase in the number of veterans booked into regional jails over the past three years. In 2018, there were 637 veterans booked into a San Diego County jail, with an average of three bookings per veteran.
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WWII Veteran lived long enough to see memorials in Washington, but not home again

95-year-old WWII vet dies returning from Honor Flight to Washington

FOX 5 News
BY BOB PONTING AND JEFF MCADAM
MAY 6, 2019

SAN DIEGO – A local World War II veteran who flew to Washington as part of an Honor Flight collapsed and died during the return trip to San Diego, the organization that organized the flight said.

"The fella who caught my dad came up to me and said, 'listen, your dad, within 5 seconds of having him in my arms was gone,'” said Bruce Manchel, the veteran's son.

Frank Manchel, 95, was accompanied by his son, Bruce, on the trip organized by Honor Flight San Diego. On Sunday, he boarded the flight home from Baltimore Washington International Airport to San Diego after spending the weekend in Washington, D.C. During the flight, Manchel collapsed. Others on the flight tried to resuscitate Manchel, but he was pronounced dead.

Before the plane landed, Bruce tells FOX5 that his father was placed next to him on the flight. Before the other veterans on board deplaned, each one of them stopped in front of his dad.
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Disabled veteran roughed up for parking in disabled parking spot?

A disabled veteran was roughed up by Park Ranger for parking in a disabled spot? Seriously? Yes, because she wanted to save that space for a coworker! He sued and won!

Disabled veteran was arrested at Sequoia National Park. He sued the U.S. government and won

Sacramento Bee
Robert Rodriguez
April 1, 2019

Esquibel parked in a nearby handicap space so he could use the restroom while the line of traffic went down. He placed his handicap placard on his rear-view mirror and began walking from his vehicle when the park employee at the entrance booth yelled at him: “You can’t park there.”

A disabled U.S. Marines veteran has received a $250,000 settlement from the U.S. government after a national park park ranger allegedly used excessive force to arrest him over the use of a handicapped parking space.

Dominic Esquibel of San Diego sued the Department of Interior and the National Park Service, among others, for assault, false arrest and false imprisonment over the 2012 incident at Sequoia National Park east of Fresno, California. The civil rights case was scheduled to go to trial last week in U.S. District Court but was recently settled.

Esquibel, who received the Navy Cross for heroism during Operation Iraqi Freedom, was satisfied with the settlement, said his Fresno attorney, Nicholas “Butch” Wagner.

“He feels vindicated,” Wagner said. “And he is glad this is over.”
Court records show that the park employee later admitted to trying to stop Esquibel because she wanted to save the parking space for a co-worker who was coming to replace her at the end of her shift. read more here

Veteran Marine left for dead by hit and run driver

Marine veteran injured while riding scooter looking for Pacific Beach driver who left him for dead

FOX 47 News
Michael Chen
February 1, 2019

SAN DIEGO (KGTV)
A ride on an electric scooter in Pacific Beach ended in a life-altering crash for an actor and Marine veteran.

Houston Teamer's pain is a constant reminder of the ride scooter he wishes he could forget.

"What started as a good day ended in my worst nightmare," said the 27-year-old Teamer.

On Jan. 20 at about 4:30 p.m., the Marine veteran was on a scooter headed to a restaurant to meet his girlfriend. He says he was in the bike lane headed east on Grand Avenue just before Cass Street.

"I see a champagne, silverish car in my left periphery .. then it hit the side of me, the side of my Bird scooter," said Teamer.

Teamer says he went flying, face-first into the pavement.

"I tasted blood, and I could feel teeth falling out of my mouth ... just kind of prayed and hoped I was going to make it through," said Teamer.

He fell unconscious and woke up in the hospital after a Good Samaritan called 911. He suffered a concussion, broken bones in his eye sockets, nose and cheekbones. He broke his jaw in three different places. Surgeons inserted three permanent metal plates in his face.
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Sailor stopped to help driver, then was shot to death

Navy sailor in San Diego shot by driver he stopped to help

WTKR 3 News
NICK BOYKIN
OCTOBER 27, 2018

The victim was identified as 21-year-old Curtis Adams of San Diego. Adams was on active duty with the Navy at the time of his murder, said Lt. Dupree.

SAN DIEGO — An active-duty Navy service member was killed after pulling over to help what he thought was a stranded motorist early Saturday, said police, according to FOX 5 in San Diego.

The San Diego Police Department received a call around 2:20 a.m. about a shooting that occurred at southbound Interstate 15 at the northbound Interstate 5 ramp. The caller stated her boyfriend was shot, said San Diego Police Lt. Anthony Dupree.

Investigators learned the victim and his girlfriend pulled over to help what they thought was a stranded motorist. When the victim got out of the car, he was shot immediately.

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Homeless veteran killed by hit and run driver

Your Stories: Final honor for homeless former Marine
CBS 8 News
Video Report By Monique Griego
Jul 03, 2018

SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) — News 8 has an update on a story we first brought you last week about a homeless former Marine killed in a hit-and-run accident. Deryck Bacon's widow reached out for help because she wanted her husband buried with honor.

And several San Diego groups answered the call.

When News 8 shared the story of Bacon - a 59-year-old homeless veteran who'd been killed - the circumstances surrounding his death struck a chord within the community.

"This one was a particularly tragic story," said Michael McConnell, a homeless advocate in the San Diego area.

"As it turns out, he's a veteran and [he was] just innocently sleeping on the sidewalk because he has no place to call home."
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Korean War Veteran Patrols Streets for Homeless

Korean War vet keeps homeless warm at night
San Diego Union Tribune
Pam Kragen
January 2, 2018

Since 2011, the campaign has distributed more than 3,250 sleeping bags. About 40 percent of downtown’s homeless population are veterans, Field said, but the bags are distributed to any one in clear need.

San Diego Veterans for Peace volunteer Stan Levin, 88, gives Shayne Dunn, who is homeless, a package of food before he and Gilbert Fields, background, a new sleeping bag in downtown San Diego on Friday. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune)

At age 88, Korean War veteran Stan Levin has earned the right to spend all his evenings in the warm comfort of his Serra Mesa home.

But several nights a month for the past six years, Levin has patrolled the streets of downtown San Diego, handing out free sleeping bags, socks and snacks to homeless men and women he finds sleeping on the sidewalks.

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Julia Jacobson's Ex Pleaded Not Guilty

Ex-husband accused of killing missing Army veteran pleads not guilty in Rancho Cucamonga court
Daily Bulletin
By BEATRIZ E. VALENZUELA
November 6, 2017

Police are still looking for the remains of Julia Jacobson, 37, of San Diego, and her wheaten terrier, Boogie. Jacobson was reported missing Sept. 2, 2017, and was last seen in Ontario. Her ex-husband, Dalen Larry Ware, 39, of Laveen, Arizona, was arrested Oct. 13, 2017, on suspicion of murder. (Photos courtesy of Ontario Police Department)

The man accused of killing his ex-wife — an Army veteran from San Diego — pleaded not guilty to charges of murder Monday, Nov. 6, in West Valley Superior court in Rancho Cucamonga, according to court records.

Dalen Larry Ware, 39, was first arrested on Oct. 13 in Arizona with help from the Phoenix police and the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force. He was returned to California late last month to stand trial.

Despite the charges, the body of Julia Jacobson, 37, and her dog, Boogie, have yet to be found, Ontario police officials said. Jacobson’s family reported her missing Sept. 2.

On that morning, Jacobson was seen at a 7-Eleven in San Diego. Later that day, her debit card activity placed her at a gas station in Ontario, according to San Diego and Ontario police.
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Missing Veteran Julia Jacobson's Ex-Husband Arrested

Missing Army Veteran Julia Jacobson Now Believed Dead, Ex-Husband Arrested
NBC News
by BIANCA HILLIER
October 17, 2017

A San Diego Army veteran who disappeared last month is now believed to be dead, according to local officials.

Julia Jacobson, 37, has been missing since September 2, 2017. She was last seen on security video at a store in Ontario, California with her Wheaten Terrier, Boogie. According to a press release from the Ontario Police Department on October 16, “detectives now have reason to believe” Julia and Boogie are both deceased.

While Julia and Boogie’s remains have not yet been located, on Friday October 13, police arrested Julia’s ex-husband on suspicion of her murder.

According to the press release, through a coordinated effort with the Phoenix Police Department and the FBI’s Arizona Violent Crimes Task Force unit, Dalen Larry Ware was arrested at his home in Laveen, Arizona. He was then transferred to the San Bernardino County West Valley Detention Center and is awaiting booking.
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Veteran Navy SEAL Missing in California

UPDATE

San Diego Police: Missing Navy SEAL veteran found

US Navy SEAL Veteran Reported Missing

NBC Los Angeles
Astrid Solorzano
September 12, 2017

For Becky McGinnis, the first two weeks of September have been a nightmare.

Her boyfriend, who served as a U.S. Navy SEAL for 18 years, has not contacted her since August 27. He was last seen near Chollas Lake Park, according to San Diego police. Officers found his car in La Jolla on Sunday, September 3.

"We just want to find him,” said McGinnis. “We have a little information on anything.”

John Surmont, 45, has struggled with trauma related to his military service, McGinnis told NBC 7 Monday.

San Diego Police confirmed they are actively looking for Surmont, a veteran of U.S. Navy SEAL Team 3 and a father of three. The VA is cooperating with the police department on their investigation. 

People who served in the SEALs with him confirmed the community is conducting private searches. 

Surmont’s ex-wife got a call from Surmont on August 31 saying he was in a "rough place" in Los Angeles, police said.

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USS Carl Vinson Sailor Returns to Expanding Family

Surprise! Navy Wife Hides Pregnancy, Saves Reveal for Sailor's Homecoming
After a shocked pause, Chris pokes his wife's pregnant belly and asks, "Is it real?"
NBC San Diego
By Cassia Pollock

"Welcome Home Baby Daddy."

The wife of a U.S. Navy sailor had a big surprise to share with her husband when his aircraft carrier docked in San Diego: a new member of their family, nearly ready to join their ranks.

Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Daugherty, a Navy cryptologic technician, returned to the U.S. on June 23 after a six-month deployment on board the USS Carl Vinson.

Upon disembarking, Daugherty's two daughters and son rushed over to greet their uniformed father. He hugged his little ones, who were clad in mini sailor outfits, while his wife, Natasha Daugherty, hung back, smiling.
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Lt. Cmdr. Frederick Crosby No Longer MIA

Long-missing Vietnam veteran returns to San Diego
FOX 5 San Diego
BY SHARON CHEN
MAY 26, 2017

It wasn’t until 2015, during the fourth recovery mission, that crews ran into the villager that witnessed Crosby's crash 50 years ago. He led them to the exact location of the wrecked F-8 Crusader plane.

SAN DIEGO – The saga of a San Diego Navy pilot missing in action for 50 years came to a close Friday morning as the remains of Lt. Cmdr. Frederick Crosby returned home.

The Naval commander's flag-draped coffin arrived at Lindbergh Field from Hawaii just after noon.

As his children, all now in late middle age, watched, their emotions flowed.

“It’s nice to be able to let out the tears and to have some relief in our hearts,” said Deborah Crosby.

Crosby had four children. Deborah is his only daughter.
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Missing Veteran Found by Coast Guard

Missing Army veteran found safe in hospital after two-day search
FOX 5 News
BY CHRISTY SIMERAL AND SHARON CHEN
February 22, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- After a two-day search for a missing boater thought to be lost at sea, a U.S. Coast Guard official ended its search Wednesday night after the decorated Army veteran from Orange County was found safe.

Garrett Ferguson

A nurse at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest saw a FOX 5 News report on the search for 36-year-old Garrett Ferguson of Huntington Beach and called police to say he was at the hospital.

Lifeguards and Coast Guard personnel scanned the ocean and shorelines around Mission Bay for a second day Wednesday in search of the Huntington Beach man, who was believed to have gone missing during a sea outing on a small motorboat.
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Missing Navy Wife's Body Identified

Body Pulled From San Diego Bay Identified as Missing Navy Wife Elizabeth Sullivan
NBC News
by RACHAEL TROST
December 7, 2016

A body pulled from the San Diego Bay in California in October has now been identified as missing Navy wife and mother of two Elizabeth Sullivan.

Sullivan's body was pulled from the water on October 5, according to NBC affiliate NBC 7. San Diego police confirmed the identification Wednesday. Homicide investigators have traveled to the East Coast to reportedly look into possible leads, the station reported.
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Report: Calif. Navy wife vanishes after sending text

Marine Veteran Honors Fallen Friend, With Country Music at Cemetary

Veteran plays music at grave of fallen comrade
ABC News 10
Anne State
Nov 23, 2016

SAN DIEGO - A Marine veteran continues to give thanks at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Simon Sandoval visits the cemetery often, and he plays music for fallen service members. While he has lost many friends during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, his good friend, Lance Cpl. Jason Hill, is his only friend buried at Fort Rosecrans.

"I play a little bit of country music for him since he's a country boy," said Sandoval.

10News was there as Sandoval cued up the music on his phone, adding, "I think he still likes listening."

Sandoval said of Hill: "He was one of my fine young men."

Hill, a native of Poway, was killed in Afghanistan in 2011. Shortly after his death, his friends gathered at the family home and described Hill as loyal, funny and charming. They said he was proud to serve his country.
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"Navy Man" Arrested After 4 Killed, 8 Others Injured

Latest: Navy man arrested after truck fatally crushes 4
Associated Press
October 18, 2016

Witnesses said four people in the booth were crushed by the truck. Eight people on the ground were injured.

SAN DIEGO – The Latest on a car plummeting from the Coronado Bridge onto a park, leaving 4 dead and at least 4 critically injured (all times local):

9:10 p.m.
Police say a member of the U.S. Navy was driving a pickup truck that flew off the San Diego-Coronado Bridge and fatally killed four people who were at a festival at a park below.

Authorities say 25-year-old Richard Anthony Sepolio, who suffered major injuries in Saturday's crash, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was stationed at a naval base in Coronado Island, across a bay from San Diego.

The California Highway Patrol said Sepolio lost control of a GMC pickup truck with Texas license plates while driving onto the bridge, struck a guardrail and plunged about 60 feet onto a vendor booth set up for a motorcycle festival at Chicano Park.
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Traffic Stop Leaves Officer Dead and Another Wounded in San Diego

1 San Diego Police Officer Shot, Killed in Line of Duty, Second Seriously Wounded
NBC 7 News
By Jaspreet Kaur and Samantha Tatro
July 29, 2016

One San Diego police officer has died and one remains in surgery after a late-night shooting just south of Downtown San Diego. One suspect is in custody and authorities continue to search for other possible suspects, police said.

At a press conference early Friday morning, San Diego Police Department Chief Shelley Zimmerman said the officers were conducting a traffic stop shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday in San Diego's Southcrest neighborhood when the shooting happened.

Shortly after stopping their car, the officers called for emergency cover.

When additional officers arrived on scene, they found both officers, who have not yet been identified, with gunshot wounds. One officer, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, was taken in a patrol car to Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest. 

Doctors were unable to save his life.
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