Prunedale, CA – 42-year-old James Frederick Combs of Salinas died in an officer-involved shooting that occurred on March 16, 2025. The incident took place on northbound Highway 101 in Monterey County.
Incident Details
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), an officer responded to reports of a one-vehicle crash on northbound Highway 101 at Ralph Lane around 7:07 p.m. The officer arriving at the scene encountered Combs. Shortly into their encounter, the officer shot Combs, killing him. The incident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol and the Monterey County District Attorney’s office.
Applicable Laws and Rights
Under 42 U.S. Code § 1983, individuals have the right to seek legal recourse if their constitutional rights are violated by law enforcement officials acting under the color of state law. This federal statute allows victims of excessive force or their families to pursue civil claims against responsible parties.
Furthermore, California law requires thorough investigations of officer-involved shootings, especially those resulting in death, to ensure transparency and accountability.
Seeking Accountability for Officer Involved Shootings
We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our condolences to the family of James Frederick Combs.
How can our firm assist with an investigation? Should you decide to consult with our firm, our investigation typically includes some or all the following investigative activities
- obtaining and reviewing medical records, autopsy reports and blood toxicology screening reports
- requesting a Public Records Request Act for documents and evidence for locating and interviewing critical witnesses to an incident
- subpoenaing third party entities if our firm is retained and a lawsuit is initiated
- securing surveillance video evidence, and at minimum, placing the jail entity on notice to preserve potential video and tangible evidence of an incident.
- identifying and contacting potential witnesses, if available.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by police misconduct or an in-custody incident, contact The Sehat Law Firm at (949) 825-5200 for a free consultation, or complete the form at the bottom of this page to discuss your case with our legal team.
Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or medical advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary and any referenced here may not apply to your situation. This article was created from secondary sources and so may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us, and we’ll update or remove the post as needed.
