Volunteer, Aspiring Gustine California Reserve Police Officer Killed by Drunk Driver while Helping Motorist

A 28-year-old Merced man who was struck and killed by a drunk driver while assisting motorists in a disabled vehicle, had plans to join the Gustine Police Department as a reserve officer.

Abraham Guzman was known for his commitment to serving the community and a willingness to help those in need, often going above and beyond his duties as a volunteer, the Gustine Police Department said.

Guzman was scheduled to complete Module II of the Merced Police Academy on April 2, at Merced College, according to Gustine Police Chief Ruben Chavez. Upon his graduation, he planned to begin the hiring process with Gustine police.

“He’s a great guy,” Chavez said. “He was going to be a great cop. It’s hard enough to get people interested in law enforcement and he was very interested,” he said.

Before becoming a volunteer with Gustine police, Chavez said Guzman developed friendships with two of the department’s sergeants and would go on ride-alongs with the officers. Guzman had officially been a volunteer since January, but Chavez said Guzman had been helping out the department since the middle of 2024.

“We recruited him to be a volunteer because we wanted him to get on the books, because we wanted him to apply as a reserve officer once he finished up his second module of the reserve academy,” he said.

Chavez described Guzman as a “stand up guy” with a “big heart to serve” saying he would help out the department in many ways and even assisted the department in their Christmas program delivering toys to kids. According to Chavez, Guzman’s tragic death is a great loss.

“He had a passion for the community and passion to serve,” said Chavez.

Guzman was tragically killed early Sunday morning on Highway 99 near Livingston when he stopped to help the driver and passengers in a vehicle that had crashed into the highway guardrail. Authorities said that as Guzman attempting to assist the right front passenger of a GMC Acadia, when a Honda Civic collided with the GMC.

A GoFundMe page created to help support Guzman’s family has surpassed the goal of $25,000 and as of Wednesday afternoon, more than $30,000 has been donated, according to the page.

In honor of Guzman’s service, the Gustine Police Department officers will wear mourning bands over their badges for 30 days from the date of Guzman’s passing.

The Gustine Police Department said a memorial service is scheduled to take place with a Rosary at 9:30 a.m. and Mass at 10 a.m. on March 26, at Sacred Heart Church in Merced with burial to follow. Authorities said a law enforcement procession will take place from the church to Evergreen Memorial Park in Merced.

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