The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office was founded in 1850. In it's 169 year history, there have been three deputy sheriff's killed in the line of duty. This cache is one in a series of three, each paying tribute to the deputies who have given their lives while protecting the citizens of El Dorado County. Cache is located along the El Dorado Trail.
On February 26, 1991, Deputy Michael Cole was killed while responding to a call involving livestock on the road. Deputies Cole's patrol car left the roadway and struck a tree on Pleasant Valley Road near the town of El Dorado. While the California Highway Patrol determined speed as a primary cause of the crash. It is believed that the improper placement of a modified "mud" flap used as a floor mat interfered with the proper operation of the vehicle accelerator, contributed to the crash. Deputy Cole was pronounced dead at Marshall Hospital.