On Friday, a Clark County jury found 22-year-old Julio Segura guilty in the Jan. 29, 2022 death of Vancouver Police Officer Donald Sahota

On Friday (May 24), a Clark County jury found a Yakima man guilty in the Jan. 29, 2022 death of Vancouver Police Officer Donald Sahota.

The jurors in Clark County Superior Court found 22-year-old Julio Segura guilty of causing Sahota’s death. The jury acquitted Segura of an additional premeditated murder charge.

“On behalf of the Vancouver Police Department I want to say that today the justice process was exercised, as the jury found the defendant guilty of the January 29, 2022, death of Vancouver Police Officer Donald Sahota,” said Vancouver Police Chief Jeff Mori. “It has been a long, emotional wait for the family and friends of Donald Sahota and while we are grateful for this verdict, the pain and tragedy of Don’s death remains. Don was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend who will always be missed and never forgotten”. 

Friday’s statement added that “the Vancouver Police Department would like to express our sincere thanks to the individuals who served on this jury; for their time, attention, and commitment in taking on this important role that is a critical foundation of our justice system. The department also thanks the Clark County Prosecutors for their work and dedication to seeking long-awaited justice for Don and his family and friends.

“Today’s verdict provides the first step toward healing the pain, grief, sadness and loss for the Sahota family, the VPD family and the community,’’ the statement concluded.

Officer Sahota was 52 years old at the time of his death. He was hired by the Vancouver Police Department in April 2014 and prior to that, he worked as a police officer for the Gresham Police Department and Port of Portland Police Department. During his career with the Vancouver Police Department, Officer Sahota worked in patrol, served as an EVOC instructor, an armorer, and was also assigned to the Training Unit. Officer Sahota was survived by a wife and two children.

According to information previously provided by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, officers responded to an armed robbery at a convenience store in the Orchards area the night Sahota was killed.  The suspect was described as having a handgun and fled the area in a stolen vehicle.  

The suspect, Segura, was located a short time later and a pursuit of the vehicle was initiated based on the armed robbery.  Segura traveled towards Battle Ground where he eventually abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.  Segura later arrived at the residence of Sahota, who was off duty at the time.  

Police responded and contacted all parties.  In the course of this contact, a deputy with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office discharged his firearm, mistakenly striking Sahota. Sahota, who had fought with Segura prior to being shot, was provided medical aid at the scene but was eventually pronounced deceased.

The officer-involved shooting was investigated by the Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team. The  Clark County Sheriff’s Office deputy was not charged by the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in the shooting.

Segura will be sentenced on June 27.

On Feb. 8, 2022, Sahota was honored in a Memorial Service. Clark County Today provided this video tribute to the fallen officer.