TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — 29-year-old Jesus Dario Corona was killed in a Tulare County crash Sunday, leaving behind his almost 6-year-old daughter, wife, parents and siblings.
Corona served as a patrol and Parlier High School resource officer for the last two years, making his mark on a now-mourning community.
“There are 21 officers at the Parlier Police Department — now there are 20,” says Parlier Police Interim Chief Michael Salvador. “They’re hurting just as bad.”
It’s the second brother these officers have lost in just over a year.
Last November, the community mourned Officer Juan Rodriguez, who passed away unexpectedly from an illness.
“They were just getting back on their feet, and this happens,” Salvador said. “It brings that all up again.”
Salvador has only been with the department for five weeks.
Even in that short time, he says Corona left a lasting impression, always showing up with a million-dollar smile.
“Over the 38-plus years I’ve been in this business, I’ve always been the one who made the call,” Salvador said. “Today, I got to receive it. Tough day. Very tough day.”
The chief says the toughest part was notifying Corona’s family, less than a week before his daughter’s 6th birthday.
“They lost a husband,” he said. “They lost a father. They lost a son. They lost a brother in the prime of his life. I can’t fathom how they feel tonight.”
