David Machado Arrested In Connection With The Slaying Of Stanislaus County Sheriff Deputy Dennis Wallace

Stanislaus County Sheriff Deputy Wallace fatally shot twice in the head by a wanted 37-year-old suspect.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

November 13, 2016

Modesto, California - On Sunday, the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) reported in a press release that David Machado, 37, has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Stanislaus County Sheriff's Deputy Dennis Wallace, 52, in Modesto. According to the SCSO information, Deputy Wallace just before 8:30 a.m. was patrolling the Fox Grove fishing access area, which is just outside the City of Hughson. Deputy Wallace informed dispatch that he would be checking on a suspicious van and gave the license plate information to dispatch. A few moments later, dispatch informed Deputy Wallace that the van was a reported stolen car. Deputy Wallace immediately requested another deputy for assistance. 

As deputies were responding to assist Deputy Wallace, dispatch attempted to contact him, but did not receive a response.  The first assisting deputy arrived on scene within 5 minutes and found Deputy Wallace down with gunshot injuries and called for assistance. Deputy Wallace was transported to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Deputy Wallace suffered to gunshot wounds to the head. According to a preliminary investigation at the crime scene, Deputy Wallace never had time to take out his weapon from his holster.
The suspect in the original stolen van was identified as Machado.
About 20 minutes after the shooting, deputies received a call of a carjacking which occurred in the community of Keyes. The victim identified Machado as the suspect in the carjacking. The stolen van was also found abandon nearby.
Machado was taken into custody later. Details of his arrest are not being released at this time.
Deputy Wallace was a 20 year veteran of the SCSO. He is survived by a wife and children.