Investigator Michael Davis was employed with Riverside County Sheriff's Department nine years. He was hired on August 23, 1979, and assigned to the Indio Station. Investigator Davis was promoted from Deputy to Investigator in 1987, and was assigned to Riverside SIB (CSU).
Investigator Davis attended the 77th Basic Academy during the fall of 1979. He had been a Reserve Deputy with Placer County from 1976. In 1980, he was awarded a silver medal in the pistol competition at the Police Olympics. In 1986, Investigator Davis was named Palm Desert Peace Officer of the Year. In 1987, he received his intermediate certificate, the Riverside County Peace Officer of the Year Award, American Legion Peace Officer of the Year Award, was named #1 shooter in the State of California in the Master Class and was the second Sheriff's Deputy to ever receive the Medal of Valor.
On October 24, 1988, Investigator Davis was involved in Operation Border Ranger, a joint drug smuggling interdiction operation being conducted in Imperial County by six Southern California Sheriff's Departments, the National Guard and Federal authorities. At approximately 9:30 p.m., the California Army National Guard helicopter, which carried Investigator Davis and other members of the team, crashed into the mountainous area of western Imperial County. The aircraft was immediately consumed by fire and all aboard died instantly.
Investigator Davis was survived by his wife and five children. He was also survived by his parents. Investigator Davis was born in Long Beach, California.
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