Slain Vallejo Cop Was 'Well Loved'

VALLEJO (KCBS)— Vallejo police continue to grieve the loss of one of their own. Officer Jim Capoot was shot and killed on Thursday while trying to arrest the suspect, 37-year-old Henry Albert Smith Jr., of a bank robbery.

Capoot, who was 45-years-old, spent nearly 20 years on the force. According to fellow officers he set a high standard for the department.

KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:

But the reality is Vallejo has dealt with this before. In April 2000 Officer Jeff Azuar lost his life while trying to arrest a suspect on an outstanding warrant.

That same year Capoot was named the department's officer of the year. He had also received two medals of courage during his time of service.

Several officers agreed there isn't anyone within the police department who didn't know Capoot.

Sgt. Sid DeJesus claimed he knew Capoot well.

"He came to work everyday very happy, very full of life and set the standard for quite honestly every officer within this organization to follow," DeJesus said.

Sgt. Jeff Bassett was clearly upset when he spoke about his friend and fellow police officer.

"He's a guy that's been involved in the community. He's a no-nonsense kind of guy that tells you like it is, but despite that, he's a guy that was well loved among everyone at the department and members of the community as well," Basset said.

Capoot is the fourth Vallejo police officer killed in the line of duty in the city's 155-year history.

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