HPD chief praises the Madrigal family

By Terry Murry on Monday, January 17th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HERMISTON – The investigation into the 2015 murder of Alonso Madrigal, 23, of Umatilla in Hermiston involved law enforcement from throughout the region with added help from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, the Huntington Park, California Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

In a news release issued Friday, Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston thanked them all, but saved his biggest thanks for the patience and understanding showed by Madrigal’s family.

“They’ve been exceptional,” he said. “We’ve given them as much details that we could safely give them that would maintain the integrity of the investigation.”

Lt. Randy Studebaker maintained contact with the family for several years. When he went on leave, Sgt. Robert Guerrero took over as that link with Madrigal’s survivors.

“It was nice for Sgt. Guerrero to be able to call last night and let them know that, cliché, we got him,” Edmiston said Friday.

Jose Oseguera, 40, was arrested in the Hermiston Walmart parking lot and was in possession of a loaded handgun, a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine, and what is described by police as a large amount of cash.

Edmiston said that police believed that Oseguera was responsible for the shooting shortly after it occurred. Attempts to secure critical evidence and testimony were not forthcoming over the years, but the chief said his officers did not stop trying. Those efforts paid off a few months ago, he said.

“All along, we were just waiting for the right opportunity to be able to put all the pieces together in the order that we knew they went,” he said. “Law enforcement has some hurdles, rightly or wrongly, that you have to overcome with regard to making sure everything’s wrapped up.”