Woman's Death In Yuba Has Tragic Dublin Tie

DUBLIN, CA — The sad news that a woman killed in a automobile crash last month was the widow of a slain Oakland police officer has yet another tragic law enforcement twist: She also served as a sheriff's deputy in Dublin and was the partner of slain Deputy John Monego who was killed in the line of duty at an Outback Steakhouse in Dublin in 1998.

Angela Dunakin, 52, died October 28 the day after the crash at the intersection of Highway 99 and Highway 20 in Yuba City, according to the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office.

Dunakin was also the widow of slain Oakland Police Officer Mark Dunakin, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on March 21, 2009. He and his partner were gunned down by Lovelle Mixon during a routine traffic stop in Oakland. Two SWAT team members were also killed by Mixon during a subsequent shootout that also left the suspect dead.

A decade before her husband's death, Angela Dunakin endured the pain of losing her law enforcement comrade. She became an Alameda County sheriff’s deputy and retired in 2000, but on Dec. 12, 1998 her partner, Deputy Monego, was killed in the line of duty.

Angela was actually the first deputy on scene that fateful December date. She was responding to what she thought was a routine 911 hangup call at the Dublin Outback restaurant. Instead, she was ambushed and taken hostage by three robbers who took her service weapon and held her in the back of the restaurant with employees and customers.

Monego arrived on scene next, but was fatally shot by the suspects — the first law enforcement officer in Dublin to be killed in the line of duty. He left behind a wife, Tammy, and son, Dominic.

Dublin has not forgotten Monego. Last December, the Tri-Valley community was invited to a memorial tree lighting ceremony to pay homage to the fallen deputy.

Now Angela is in hearts as well. She and her husband left behind a growing family: two sons, Anthony and Patrick; one daughter, Sienna; and one granddaughter, Riley, according to a fundraiser organized by the Peace Officers Research Association of California.