On Thursday, Julio Segura was sentenced by a Clark County Judge Nancy Retsinas to 29 years in prison

VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Police Department issued a statement Thursday on the sentencing of the defendant in the murder of VPD 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 Thursday (June 27), Segura was sentenced by a Clark County Judge Nancy Retsinas to 29 years in prison.

“Today’s sentencing of 29 years in prison for the defendant in the murder of Officer Donald Sahota provides the family and friends Don left behind the opportunity to start healing from what has been an excruciatingly painful 2 and a half years”, said Vancouver Police Chief Jeff Mori. “The Sahota family will remain in our prayers and the memory of Don Sahota and his contributions to the law enforcement profession, his community and the Vancouver Police Department will continue to live on.

“As they begin to move forward from the grief of Don’s senseless death and the grueling pain of the trial, the Sahota family asks for continued privacy,’’ 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.

Information provided by the Vancouver Police Department.