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Debbie Lane Shooting Victim Remembered as Friend to All, Family Man

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MODESTO – Michael Sullivan, or “Big Jesse” as he was affectionately known by those close to him, was a friend to all.

That’s how many of his friends wanted him remembered as they gathered near his home on Debbie Lane Sunday trying to make sense of what happened to him.

Big Jesse’s life was taken during a shooting shortly after 2:00pm. The accused shooter was a neighbor.

But the end of his life was not how those gathered Sunday wanted him to be remembered.

Tracy Burkhart only met him six months ago, but knowing Big Jesse felt like having a lifelong best friend. Just like everyone at the scene Sunday, the two hit it off and became close.

“We just had a tri-tip dinner at his home last night,” Burkhart said. Together the two talked about their families and interests. They worked on vehicles together, and recently made a funny TikTok video of themselves as they pushed a Chevy Tahoe down the road because of the high gas prices.

The Tahoe, according to those watching Sunday’s events unfold, was a key to why their friend’s life was taken.

“Over a damn license plate,” said David Rivera.

Rivera explained that Big Jesse had recently purchased the Tahoe from his neighbor for $800. The vehicle was in a state of disrepair.

“So he bought a replacement motor for it,” Rivera said. “There were nuts and bolts all over his garage, but in the end, they were all put back in place.”

Rivera explained that Big Jesse had experience working on motorcycles. The Chevy Tahoe would have been a new challenge.

“For him to do the work he did, and get that vehicle running, that’s pure talent.”

A talent that Rivera lamented is now as irreplaceable as the man himself. He knew Big Jesse for the last three years.

“Jess was a smart guy and a fast learner. He was friendly and accepting, and we knew mutual people, so getting to know him felt right.”

He loved his three kids and was looking forward to spending the summer with them and go camping. Events and memories that Tracy Burkhart would have liked to experience beyond the six months he knew him.

“Now, I feel like I didn’t get enough time to value the friendship he gave to me,” Burkhart said.

Both Burkhart and Rivera vowed to offer their help to their friend’s family, in honor of the friendship he showed to them.

“I don’t care how long it takes tonight,” Rivera said while observing the investigation. “The last thing I want to do is close the garage door to his home for him.”

Carlos Rodriguez is an Emmy Award winning photojournalist specializing in public safety and natural disasters. His passion for local news stems from a deep commitment to his community, with a selfless mission to inform the citizens of the valley. As he worked on assignment for 19 days at the devastating Camp Fire in Paradise, California, he spent most of his time helping survivors contact their loved ones to let them know they were ok. Carlos is a veteran of Univision, FOX, and Telemundo TV stations and a native of Modesto, California.

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Truck Fire Stalls Highway 99 Traffic in Modesto

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MODESTO – A burning pickup truck with an attached trailer sent a large plume of black smoke into the air Friday evening, stalling traffic on Highway 99.

At about 6:30pm emergency crews were dispatched to the area of Southbound Highway 99 near the Kansas Avenue exit for a report of a vehicle on fire. Arriving firefighters found a pickup truck with a trailer that was engulfed in fire on the right shoulder.

Early reports indicate the driver was able to exit the vehicle. At time of publication traffic was backed up nearly to Salida.

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Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle on the Carpenter Overpass

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MODESTO – Emergency crews responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle Friday afternoon.

The collision happened shortly after 3:45pm on the Carpenter overcrossing at Highway 99. Arriving police officers located a pedestrian with a significant head injury losing consciousness.

Southbound traffic on the bridge is expected to be closed. Motorists should seek an alternate route.

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Suspect in Stockton Double Homicide Captured by US Marshals

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STOCKTON – A man wanted in connection for the deaths of a mother and her son just days before Christmas has been captured in Mexico, officials reported this week.

Julio Valdez was located and arrested on February 11th in Rosarito, Mexico by members of a US Marshals Task Force along with Mexico Regional Police. He was taken into custody without incident.

On December 23rd, 2024 officers with the Stockton Police Department were called to the 2500 block of Belleview Street for a report of two unresponsive persons. They located two victims who were pronounced deceased at the scene, later identified as Alicia Montejano and her son Reuel Huerta.

Valdez is expected to be extradited back to San Joaquin County. The investigation is ongoing.

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