Off-Duty Police Officer Shot To Death In Vallejo

VALLEJO, Calif. (AP) - An off-duty Northern California police officer was shot to death in his home Thursday in what authorities say was a domestic dispute.

Vallejo Police Lt. Jeff Bassett say Richmond Police Sgt. Gus Vegas, 58, was awakened around 4:30 a.m. by an argument between his daughter and Robert Vega, 30, the father of the daughter's son. Police suspect Vega shot Vegas multiple times before fleeing the Vallejo home with his 6-year-old son. Vega was arrested a short time later about 18 miles away in Fairfield. The boy was unharmed and taken into protective custody, police said.

Richmond and Vallejo police declined to provide more details on the relationship between the slain officer and the suspect.

Investigators said Vegas and his wife were foster parents and cared for many children over the years. Vegas was a 15-year veteran of the Richmond Police Department was currently assigned to the regulatory enforcement unit.

"Gus was very active in the police department," said Richmond Police chief Allwyn Brown said. "He was very likable."

Vega was in custody and it's unclear if he has retained a lawyer.