Coast Guard member found dead in Monterey

Coast Guard member found dead in Monterey

SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard Investigative Service and Monterey County Sheriff-Coroner's office are investigating the death of a Coast Guard petty officer whose body was found Thursday morning in a car in a parking lot at California State University Monterey Bay.  

Dead is Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua P. Van Poucke, 36, of Prunedale, a machinery technician who was assigned to Coast Guard Station Monterey.  

"The Coast Guard is a close knit organization," said Capt. Tony Ceraolo, the commander of Coast Guard Sector San Francisco. "Station Monterey and our entire sector crew are considered family, and the loss of one of our own is a sad and painful event. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Petty Officer Van Poucke's family, friends and shipmates. Our priority now is to provide his family and co-workers with all possible support, counseling and assistance as they cope with this tragedy. We appreciate the assistance of the Monterey County Sheriff's Department, CSU Monterey Bay Police and other agencies involved in the response to this loss."

Due to the ongoing investigation, no additional details are available at this time.

Coast Guard operations in the region will not be impacted. Additional crews have been brought in from other areas to support Station Monterey as needed.

-USCG-