EDITOR'S NOTE: In an earlier version of this story, police had misidentified the person who died.
A retired Stockton police officer was killed after a fight Tuesday in Stockton, according to police.
The fight happened at the intersection of Tam O'Shanter and Fallbrook Drives when 75-year-old Laurits “Pepe” Petersen and another man reportedly got into an argument, resulting in the retired officer being stabbed, Stockton police report.
A Good Samaritan who witnessed the fight attempted to break up the fight and was also stabbed, according to Stockton police.
Both victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, where the retired officer was pronounced dead.
“It was so tragic and yet ironic that he lost his life to a homicide, the very thing he was so good at investigating,” Eric Jones, Stockton Police Chief, said.
The Good Samaritan, whose identity was not given, was expected to survive, according to Stockton police.
“To the family of the helpful person, I thank your husband or your wife or son or daughter, whoever it is because they're going to want to be able to tell this story,” Dennis Petersen, Petersen’s son, said. “I am so thankful that they were not taken like my father was.”
The suspect was found a short distance from the crime with the assistance of a K9 officer, police said. He was identified as Rafael Watts, 59.
Below is a look at criminals arrested in northern California.