PLACERVILLE, Calif. — The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office will host a blood drive in memory of Deputy Brian “Ish” Ishmael on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office, 200 Industrial Drive in Placerville. Donors are asked to schedule appointments through Vitalant’s donor portal or call Vitalant for help reserving a time.
Deputy Ishmael, a 37-year-old native of El Dorado County, was fatally shot while responding to a reported theft at an illegal outdoor marijuana grow on Oct. 23, 2019. His death prompted an outpouring of local support, ongoing memorials and recurring community events — including this annual blood drive — held in his honor.
“This was a man who worked in this community and lived in this community; he was easy to talk to, kind, and always positive,”
El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini said following Ishmael’s death.
“He never had a bad day, was a loving father and husband.”
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Deputy Ishmael was shot and killed on October 23, 2019, while responding to a reported theft from an outdoor marijuana garden in the rural Somerset area. He and an off-duty San Joaquin County deputy were together; Ishmael was fatally shot after exiting his vehicle and the other deputy was wounded but survived.
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The shooter — Juan Carlos Vasquez-Orozco — was later found guilty of second-degree murder and related charges (guilty verdict announced April 15, 2022). Sentencing information reported with the conviction states a lengthy prison term (reports cite a 15-to-life sentence in coverage summarizing court outcomes).
Key facts, timeline and how to participate
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Event: Blood Drive in memory of Deputy Brian “Ish” Ishmael.
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Date/time: Oct. 21, 2025 — 1:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m..
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Location: El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville.
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How to schedule: Visit donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFE332, or call Vitalant at 877-258-4825 to reserve an appointment; walk-ins may be accommodated if space allows.
The event is organized by the Sheriff’s Office in partnership with Vitalant, the regional blood-collection organization. Local officials and community groups traditionally staff the drive; donations collected at the event are available to hospitals across the region.
Blood shortages are a recurring challenge for area hospitals, and community drives tied to memorials — like the Ishmael event — serve both as tributes and as practical community support. The Ishmael family has received broad assistance over the years, including help from national and local nonprofits; the Tunnel to Towers Foundation paid off the family mortgage as part of its Fallen First Responders Home Program. Tunnel to Towers Foundation+1
Sheriff D’Agostini’s words after Ishmael’s death capture why the drive continues: the annual event blends remembrance with public service.
“Brian worked in this community and lived in this community; he was easy to talk to, kind, and always positive,”
D’Agostini said. Community organizations, local first-responder teams and residents have used the drive as a way to honor Ishmael’s memory by doing a concrete good for neighbors who may one day need blood.
What donors should know
Vitalant requires donors to meet standard eligibility rules (age, weight, general health). To speed check-in, donors should bring photo ID, eat well and stay hydrated before donating. Appointments are strongly encouraged: reserve a slot at donors.vitalant.org (use code SMFE332) or call 877-258-4825.
Sources and verification
This article is based on information from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office event posts and memorial pages, local event listings, and Vitalant scheduling information: El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office social posts and memorial page; Around Here Magazine event listing and Vitalant scheduling details; CBS Sacramento and other contemporaneous coverage of Deputy Ishmael’s 2019 death. Links and public pages used for verification include the sheriff’s office memorial and event posts and the Vitalant scheduling portal.
