On November 2, 2023, 65-year-old Michael Dean Plog was found deceased in his residence on Del Norte Boulevard in Sacramento, California. Firefighters responding to a house fire at the location discovered Plog's body inside the burning home. Upon examination, it was determined that he had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the torso prior to the fire. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office immediately launched a homicide investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Plog, a Marine veteran and truck driver, was known for his generosity and willingness to help others. His family and friends remember him as a kind-hearted individual who would assist anyone in need. His sister, Sheila Johnson, described him as someone who "had piercing blue eyes and would give you the shirt off his back." Neighbors and loved ones were left in shock, struggling to comprehend why someone would commit such a heinous act against a man who was well-regarded in his community.
The investigation led detectives to identify two suspects: 42-year-old Michael Wheat and 21-year-old Dominic Perez. Both individuals were known to Plog, though the exact nature of their relationship has not been publicly disclosed. On November 12, Wheat was arrested in Sacramento County without incident and booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail, where he remains held without bail. Perez was apprehended on November 15 in Long Beach, California, with the assistance of local law enforcement. Both suspects face charges including homicide and arson in connection with Plog's death.
The motive behind the crime is still under investigation, but preliminary information suggests that it may have been related to a burglary. Detectives continue to gather evidence and conduct interviews to piece together the events leading up to Plog's tragic death. The arrests have provided some measure of relief to Plog's grieving family, who are now seeking justice for their loved one. His sister Mary expressed gratitude towards law enforcement, stating, "I’m just so happy that they’re under arrest and that they cannot do this to anyone else and that they cannot do this to any other family."
As the legal process unfolds, the community remembers Plog for his selflessness and the positive impact he had on those around him. His passing has left a void in the lives of his family and friends, who continue to mourn his loss while hoping for justice to be served.
