STOCKTON-

A somber salute from those in uniform and civilians to Stockton Police Officer Scott Hewell, as his white hearse passed the police station where he served since 2012.

Hewell and another officer were responding to a shooting call May 28, when his partner lost control of their patrol car, striking the center divide on the roadway before crashing into a tree.

Hewell suffered serious injuries, requiring surgery and spending several days in intensive care.

He was eventually released from the hospital just five days ago to recuperate at home.

But then, just Wednesday morning, Officer Hewell was rushed by ambulance from his Sacramento County home to UC Davis med center, where he was later pronounced dead.

The exact cause of death is a mystery right now.

“We’re shocked. We’re grieving. We’re trying to make sense of everything,” Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones said. “We lost one of Stockton’s finest.”