Decorated Fresno Sheriff’s Sergeant Allegedly Battered Girlfriend
Mark Eaton
FRESNO – This past Monday, police arrested a sheriff’s deputy on misdemeanor domestic violence charges in relation to allegations that he battered his girlfriend, with whom he shares a child.
Mark Eaton, who earned a Medal of Valor from the governor for bravery, was cited in connection with a September 6 incident involving his girlfriend, police said. The identity of the victim has not been released.
The Fresno Police Department has jurisdiction to investigate the incident, which wasn’t reported until November 8, because it allegedly happened in the city.
According to police, Eaton and the victim, who did not live together at the time, had been drinking at her house when the victim asked Eaton to leave the residence and Eaton squeezed the woman’s face and pushed her backward.
Eaton also allegedly squeezed the victim’s neck and continued to harass her.
Eaton turned himself in to police headquarters voluntarily after the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest. He was cited on battery and harassing the victim on the Internet.
Eaton received California’s highest public safety award from Gov. Jerry Brown in 2011 for his actions in a shootout in Minkler. Eaton was on the team serving a search warrant when a suspect opened fire, killing Deputy Joel Wahlenmaier and Reedley Officer Javier Bejar. Eaton and other officers rushed to aid the victims.
