Motor Officer Jon S. Coutchie was born in Tucson, Arizona, on October 2, 1971, and raised in Orange County, California, where he graduated from Laguna Hills High School in 1989. After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and before becoming a Laguna Beach Police Officer, Jon served in the US Army as a Ranger in the 3rd Ranger Battalion. He served numerous deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan during his four years in the military. After being honorably discharged in 2007, Jon became a part-time jailer at the Laguna Beach Police Department before being hired as a police officer. During his tenure, he was a founding member of the Laguna Beach Police Department Honor Guard and was selected for a motor officer position. Throughout Jon’s career, he received numerous Letters of Commendation, a Medal of Merit, and was posthumously awarded the Police Cross.

On September 21, 2013, Jon responded to a call to assist officers who were looking for a vehicle that evaded them. While traveling north on South Coast Highway at Cleo Street, Jon was involved in a collision with a pickup truck. A citizen called 9-1-1 to report the collision, indicating a motor officer had been involved. Dispatchers tried to reach Jon on the radio using his call sign, Mike-13 (M13), but there was no response. Responding officers and firefighters located Jon in the roadway. They rendered aid, but it was determined Jon had passed away due to the injuries he sustained in the collision. He was 42 years old and a police officer for four years at the time of his passing.

A member of the Police Department, who was a high school classmate and close friend of Jon’s, obtained an American Flag from a local business. The flag was draped over Jon in honor of his sacrifice.

Jon was survived by his father, Robert, and mother, Luciana. He was also godfather to Grant, Tatum, and Paige, who are the children of close friends, Richard and Sarah Brakke. A memorial service was held for Jon where he received full military honors. Following the public ceremony, the Laguna Beach Police Department Honor Guard escorted Jon to his final resting place in Yuma, Arizona.

In honor and remembrance of Motor Officer Jon Coutchie’s sacrifice, his name is forever engraved on the Laguna Beach Police Department’s Fallen Officer Memorial, Eternal Legacy, the Orange County Peace Officers’ Memorial in Tustin, the California Peace Officers’ Memorial in Sacramento, and the National Peace Officers’ Memorial in Washington, DC.

We will forever remember Motor Officer Jon Coutchie for his service to the City and his sacrifice for the community of Laguna Beach.