New baseball field honors Sacramento County Sheriff Deputy Jeff Mitchell

The date was October 27, 2006, a Friday. The hour was early and Deputy Jeff Mitchell was patrolling a rural area of Sacramento County when he conducted a vehicle stop on a white van with no rear license plate. Approximately seven minutes later, the Sheriff’s Communications Center conducted a welfare check on the officer. With no response, units were dispatched to his location. The Deputy was found with a gunshot wound to his head from his own service weapon, a shot that evidence at the scene indicated followed a violent struggle for his life. At 4:45 AM, Deputy Jeffrey Vaughn Mitchell was pronounced deceased as a result of injuries inflicted by a murderer who is still at large. His watch was over, but not his story.


Deputy Mitchell began his career with the Sheriff's Department in 1997 at Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center in Elk Grove, where he was a recreation technician who helped lead the jail's physical education program. He became a deputy three years later and went on patrol in 2002. When he was killed, his wife and young son, friends, co-workers, and the citizens of Sacramento County were left behind to cope with his loss.

His wife, Crystal, was approached with an idea to honor Deputy Mitchell. Since he had a passion for baseball and kids, it was suggested that a baseball field would be a fitting memorial of his ultimate sacrifice for others and inspire the area youth with positive role models.

“When they first came to me it was so soon after Jeff had been killed that it didn’t really hit me what they were doing,” Mrs. Mitchell said. “It’s been three years now, and I think it’s a wonderful idea. It has so much meaning.”

She also added, “A Little League field is perfect. That was his passion.”

But she didn’t stop there. She felt that they needed to recognize all public service personnel who gave their lives in the line of duty. On August 29, 2009 that became a reality with the dedication of the Jeff Mitchell Field and Public Service Memorial.

After raising more than one million dollars for the project, an existing ball field, located at 831 Redwood Lane in El Dorado Hills near Bertelsen Park, was renovated and redesigned as a state-of-the art Little League field with a memorial wall that will honor local public service heroes. The project was a community undertaking and had the support and participation of numerous local individuals, businesses and organizations. The park now has a public services memorial with sites for the three public service agencies in the area that include the El Dorado Hills Fire Department, Sacramento County and El Dorado County Sheriff’s. About $300,000 more will be needed to complete the renovations planned.

His wife’s words sums up why the Little League field was the right choice. “I stopped by the other day by myself and I cried,” she said. “I could feel Jeff there. He motivated so many people and he’s still motivating people in his death. That’s a true reflection of who he is.”

Deputy Mitchell is no longer here in body. But his spirit will always remain as an inspiration and motivation for those who follow him. He had a passion for baseball and he had a passion for kids. How could anything be more fitting than to honor him with a site that embodies that passion and keeps not only his memory alive but honors all of those who put their lives on the line for their communities every day.

When you visit that field, and you see a special light shining down on those young children as they play the game he loved so well, take a second to look up. Maybe you could give him a little wave to let him know that you know he’s there. Say a silent thank you to him for still being there to watch as those who share his passion for baseball and life enjoy both. He gave his all in life. He’s still giving today. Thank you, Deputy Mitchell. Your death was tragic. It was far too soon. But your memory and your legacy will live forever.

Written By: Peggy Parker - Administrator of the Facebook Cause
~A Tribute To Those Who Wear The Shield~
September 9, 2009