El Cajon officer who captured gunman on campus speaks at the ceremonies

June 16, 2001

EL CAJON -- Before the singing or the diplomas, the graduating class of Granite Hills High School paused to honor the man who put a quick end to violence there three months ago.

El Cajon Police Agent Rich Agundez, who captured a gunman on campus, was awarded an honorary diploma and spoke at yesterday morning's ceremony.

"I nearly took someone's life for you not too long ago, and I gladly would have given my life for yours," he told the students gathered on the football field.

On March 22, a young man opened fire on the campus with a 12-gauge shotgun. Three students and two teachers were injured. Agundez, the school's resource officer, chased the man and wounded him in the buttock and jaw.

The assault came less than three weeks after a deadly shooting at Santana High School in Santee. Because of Agundez, no lives were lost at Granite Hills.

The school's principal, Georgette Torres, called him "our hero."

Other than the honors for the officer, the ceremony for the 576 graduates was a typically joyous occasion complete with balloons, signs, cheers and high-fives.

"It's a culminating event," Torres said. "It's a way for the kids to celebrate. It's been a really turbulent year."

The graduates said their memories of Granite Hills will be more of their friends and school activities than of one very bad day in March.

"I really would like for that to be a footnote in history," said Cameron Warren, class valedictorian. "It happened, and we need to not let it ruin our lives. It's just one day in our lives."

Warren, who will be attending Stanford University in the fall, told his fellow graduates that they will determine the future.

"Today we go out from high school to make our little footprints in history," he said. "Each of us will change the course of history in our own ways."

In his speech, Agundez had urged the students to treat everyone they meet with compassion and respect.

"I have been told that people have come into contact with angels and not even known it," he said. "Please try to treat everyone like you would an angel."

Agundez said that speaking at the graduation was the highlight of his 20-year career in law enforcement. He received a standing ovation.

Most of the graduates said they were relieved to be finished with high school and ready to celebrate their achievement.

"I'm just glad to be done," said 18-year-old Nicole Hangen.

She said she would remember her friends and the good times she had in high school, not the day of the shooting.

"I'm pretty much over that," she said. "It's come and gone. I'm just moving on."