SAN JOSE — A Soledad police officer died in an off-duty motorcycle crash in San Jose last Sunday morning.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Cpl. Kevin McArthur was riding his Yamaha motorcycle on the connecting ramp from southbound Highway 87 to southbound Highway 85 in San Jose at about 3 a.m. on Feb. 23 when he suddenly veered to the right and struck a concrete wall.
The 33-year-old was thrown from the bike and over the wall, falling into a field about 100 feet below. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“I want to take this opportunity to extend my deepest condolences and prayers to his family and friends during this painful and difficult time,” said Soledad City Manager Michael McHatten in a statement Feb. 25. “Soledad is a small, tight-knit community where we truly care about each other. In these moments, it is so important that we come together to show one another support.”
McArthur, a Salinas resident, had been an officer with the Soledad Police Department since 2014 and a member of the California Army National Guard Reserve. He was named the department’s Officer of the Year for two consecutive years, in 2016 and 2017, for his “dedication to service and his outstanding work performance,” police said at the time.
Prior to his career in law enforcement, McArthur served as a combat medic during two tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. He was also a member of the Army’s Honor Guard and participated in more than 700 military funerals.
“This terrible loss is also a reminder of the tremendous debt of gratitude that we owe to our police officers who serve our city every day and put their lives on the line for our safety and well-being,” McHatten said.
Soledad Police Department is collecting letters from community members who would like to share words of comfort and support for McArthur’s family. Letters may be dropped off at the police station, 236 Main St., in Soledad.
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SOLEDAD — City of Soledad announced Tuesday evening that one of their police officers was killed in a traffic accident over the weekend.
According to a statement from Soledad City Manager Michael McHatten, Officer Kevin McArthur died in the accident.
“I want to take this opportunity to extend my deepest condolences and prayers to his family and friends during this painful and difficult time,” McHatten said. “Soledad is a small, tight-knit community where we truly care about each other. In these moments, it is so important that we come together to show one another support.
“This terrible loss is also a reminder of the tremendous debt of gratitude that we owe to our police officers who serve our city every day and put their lives on the line for our safety and well-being,” McHatten added.
Soledad Police Department is collecting letters from community members who would like to share words of comfort and support for McArthur’s family. Letters may be dropped off at the police station, 236 Main St., in Soledad.
No other details about the accident, including the location, were released Tuesday.
