Negligent Discharge of a Firearm

Arrest of Off-Duty Employee
Posted on Nov 07, 2022

On Sunday, November 6, 2022, at approximately 1:50 a.m., deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Twin Peaks Station, received reports of shots heard and responded to Dogwood Tavern located in the 27000 block of State Highway 189 in the City of Blue Jay.

A male, identified as Fidel Ocampo-Rodarte, an off-duty San Bernardino Police Department Officer, and several friends were drinking at this location. Rodarte exited the business, pulled his service weapon from his waistband, and fired several shots into the air. Rodarte remained in the parking lot for several moments before firing another volley of rounds into the air. Rodarte and his friends then fled the scene in multiple vehicles.

Responding deputies identified Rodarte from witness statements and conducted an extensive area check to locate him but were unsuccessful. Rodarte turned himself in at the Twin Peaks Sheriff Station later that day without incident. During the investigation, deputies determined that Rodarte was an off-duty San Bernardino Police Department Officer.

Deputies served a search warrant at Rodartes' residence and recovered multiple firearms. Rodarte was arrested and booked into West Valley Detention Center for Penal Code 246.3, Negligent Discharge of a Firearm. Rodarte, a 3-year employee, was placed on administrative leave pending the criminal investigation.

Chief Goodman made the following statement about the incident, “I’m extremely disappointed at what I have been told so far and what I saw on a copy of the business surveillance video. The conduct is not something that is fitting of a San Bernardino Police officer, or any officer for that matter. While I will withhold judgment until the investigation has concluded, I will tell you that this is not what I expect, and this is not conduct that represents the vast majority of our officers.”