Samuel Fuller

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Service Record

San Bernardino County California Sheriff's Department

Rank Deputy
Salary $158,462 (2021)[1]
Last Known Status Active

Commendations

2020 Lifesaving Award

On May 31, 2019, Fuller and another deputy responded to a medical aid call and performed CPR until paramedics arrived. The man survived. On January 16, 2020, Fuller and the other deputy were awarded the department's Lifesaving Award.[2][3]

Incident Reports

2023 Death of Kyle Sostek

On March 12, 2023, Fuller stopped Sostek's vehicle as he knew Sostek had an outstanding warrant. Sostek refused to stop and later exited the vehicle on foot. Sostek ran toward Fuller, who retreated before shooting Sostek.[4][5]

Officers rendered aid until paramedics arrived.[5] Sostek died at the scene.[4]

Some audio was captured on Fuller's belt-worn audio recorder.[5]

Response Timeline

The California Department of Justice will conduct an independent investigation of the shooting, which is required under state law for officer-involved shootings of unarmed individuals.[6]

In May, 2025, the California Department of Justice released their report on the incident, concluding that Fuller "actually and reasonably believed that deadly force was necessary" and that no criminal charges were warranted.[5]

LEO Ratings

References

  1. Samuel Fuller, Deputy Sheriff Hr Shift, San Bernardino County, govSalaries
  2. Big Bear deputies honored, Big Bear Grizzly, 2020-01-22
  3. Four Big Bear Deputies Receive Sheriff's Lifesaving Awards, Big Bear Sheriff's Station, 2020-0-16
  4. 4.0 4.1 Kristina Nehls, Man killed by sheriff's deputy identified as Kyle Sostek, Big Bear Grizzly, 2023-03-18
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Report on the Investigation into the Death of Kyle Nicholas Sostek, California Department of Justice, 2025-05
  6. Current Cases, State of California Department of Justice

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