Armed Robbery Suspect Shot And Killed by Police

The officer who fired the shot was identified as Dezi Meza, a 5-year veteran of the Albany Police Department. As is common in any traumatic incident, Officer Meza is now on paid administrative leave.

(ALBANY) - An Albany police officer shot and killed 32-year-old Rachel Lea Soto, who was wanted by police in connection with three armed robberies. It happened early Thursday morning in the 3800 block of SE Mountain View Drive in Albany.

Capt. Eric Carter says officer Dezi Meza stopped to investigate a vehicle with two occupants inside.

Once at the vehicle, the officer drew his service weapon after he recognized the rear passenger as Rachel Soto.

The officer ultimately fired a single round from his service weapon after Soto drew a handgun Carter said. Soto was pronounced dead at the scene by medics.

The Oregon State Police, in conjunction with the Linn County District Attorney’s Office, is investigating the incident.

Soto was wanted in connection with the following armed robberies that occurred in Albany and Corvallis earlier this month.

The first robbery took place at the 7-11 store located at 6190 SW Pacific Boulevard at 4:00 PM. on July 10th.

Soto walked into the 7-11, asked the clerk for a pack of cigarettes, and then walked towards the door carrying the cigarettes.

When the clerk told Soto she needed to pay for the cigarettes, Soto pulled a chrome .38 caliber revolver from a pants pocket and pointed it at the clerk. Soto fled south through the parking lot on foot.

The second robbery took place at the Econo Lodge Motel located at 1212 SE Price Road at 9:30 PM. Soto walked into the motel lobby and demanded money from the clerk. Soto displayed what was described as a black semi-automatic pistol in her waist band. They say she fled south through the parking lot on foot with several hundred dollars in cash.

The Corvallis Police Department is also investigating a similar robbery that took place on the evening of July 10th.

A female entered the Hallmark store, located at 932 NW Circle Blvd, produced a handgun and stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the business.

The suspect who police believe was Soto, fled the area in a gold colored Isuzu Rodeo SUV that had previously been reported stolen.

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Comments

Comments are Closed on this story.

Dawn February 9, 2013 5:50 pm (Pacific time)

I love you and miss you. I often find myself thinking of you wishing I could have made amends. I wish I could have been a stronger person for you and not have let someone come between us. You know who you were and so do those who love you.

August 22, 2012 12:22 am (Pacific time)

people shoulod really quit talking shit, she's not around now, so you dont have to worry about it. I'm sorry for the people that loved and cared for her and i'm sorry for the people that had to go through what she may have put you through.

Her Oldest Daughter April 20, 2011 12:47 pm (Pacific time)

I miss Rachel so very much. She was my mommy. I will always love her. She is not worthless..Yeah she had great potential but everyone makes mistakes, some you can take back others you can't. Love you Mommy.

Ryan T. August 29, 2010 4:28 pm (Pacific time)

What part of she drew a gun on a cop don't you understand? Good riddance to a violent criminal crackhead.

Monkey D. Ruffy June 2, 2008 4:38 am (Pacific time)

Hello! Why are you complaining? She committed many violent crimes.

Angi December 11, 2007 7:13 pm (Pacific time)

I am appalled at how many crude and disrespectful comments there are about Rachel. I did not know her, but I am very close to her oldest daughter, and I know that it is not our place to be judgemental to Rachel or anyone else for that matter. For her children's sake, let's let this one rest, and focus on supporting the victims of people like her. Her children did NOT deserve their mother's actions toward them, and we need to be positive for their sakes. Rachel~ I never knew you, but I am so glad that you were here for a while to bring those beautiful little ones into this world. God never makes a mistake, and every child has exactly the make-up that thy need to be who He wants them to be. In His eyes, they are beautiful, and they are to me too! I will be there for your daughter as much as I can! I hope that I can love her like you would have loved her had you been able to. Rest in peace.

Law Questioning December 3, 2007 9:39 pm (Pacific time)

Rachel always spoke very highly of you "Lawabiding". Police should be able to take a woman or man with problems alive. You would do what Desi did because you are just as limited in your ability to think of other options. We love you Rachel! Forgive those that judge you.

lawabiding October 21, 2007 10:47 pm (Pacific time)

Wow. Some of you people are so messed up! I went to school with Rachel, she has always been a bully and has never been nice to anyone! If she pulled a gun on an officer, then she was asking to be shot...period! She made her choice the moment she reached into her clothes! if she really cared about her kids or her "man" then she would have sought help! What about her VICTIMS The ones that she pointed a gun at? Do you think she gave a crap about them or if they had families? no. she didnt, she only thought about herself, it has always been that way. The only people in this situation that are victims are her children, the people she robbed, and the Officer that HAD to shoot her so that he could go home to his family that night. you speak of tear gas....WTF? officers dont carry tear gas, quit watching so much tv! idiot!. Also, do you honestly think that the officer had a choice? If you had a gun pointed at you, would stop and think about your options? hell no! you would shoot them! get an f***ing clue would you! if you are so humane....then join a club or something, go hug a tree! But the officer was only doing what ANYONE IN THAT POSITION WOULD DO!

Health Wizard April 9, 2007 11:16 am (Pacific time)

You have to blame the drug companies who tell doctors to dispense drug as if they were candy so that the drug company can make more money. WBR LeoP

I will NEVER forget! January 20, 2007 4:25 pm (Pacific time)

My you finally be in peace Rachel! I miss you and always will. May your death not be in vain!

Anonymous September 6, 2006 7:59 am (Pacific time)

Thinking of you today and how much your beautiful daughter looks just like you i know you would be proud!

Me August 15, 2006 9:52 pm (Pacific time)

Goodbye Rachel, I will always love you no matter what you did or did not do.

Gary Dee August 13, 2006 8:48 pm (Pacific time)

@ TT, Ask everyone: TX is down south, and everyone agrees.Down south Texas is Mexican History (or better WANNEBE).Geography is not only west andeast, it also includes north and south.I guess you had a to long ride westwards, and not enough water. HoHoHo, Santa wont be there, until christmas to fill you up (and your horse) HoHoHo, Merry one

Texas Justice August 13, 2006 8:08 pm (Pacific time)

Stupid tweeker said it all for me. But, hey Gary, you might want to take the time to get to know geography instead of wasting your time here. Texas is East buddy. Have a good one. Were you tweeking? ha ha

Gary Dee August 13, 2006 2:39 pm (Pacific time)

You owe a answer Texas Cowboy,and not only to me.If you do not answer, i suspect you ridden towards WEST.Haha

stupid tweekers August 13, 2006 10:51 am (Pacific time)

My point to you was not to actually be disrespectful DIRECTLY to you. Calling you an old fart is actually something that I call my father when we are playing, so if I was going to try to be mean, I would have used a stronger word. My deal is this.. your statements do have truth to them, to the degree of people needing long term facilities. I do not believe that meth is an easy thing to quit. This is obvious. a 30 day program would not help these people. With Rachel, she had so many opportunities to take advantage of our court system and have them pay for it. In fact, OHP would pay for it because it would be cheaper in the long haul to do rehab instead of multiple jail stints. I agree.. if our courts were harsher, maybe it would be a deterrent to continue to live in that lifestyle. Texas Justice was right when he suggested the 3x law. I actually know a person from Linn County that has 7 felonies and 15 misdemeanors on his record, and they finally gave him a 2 year sentence after the 7th one. This guy goes out and continues to do drug related theft and doesnt get time. I believe that if they would have given him a harsher penatly, that it would have changed his outcome. If they go around and never get anymore than a slap on the wrist, then they will continue to use and commit crimes. It was already too late for Rachel at the point where she was. She had already been given so many opportunities and probably felt like there just were no more roads to take. You can only cry wolf so many times for help until people close off their hearing and look the other way. I hope that the state of Oregon makes harsher penalties for the meth users. If someone gets arrested for possession, put them in jail. If they get a charge AGAIN, then give them a LONGER time. Not probation and work crew. All those people are doing is spending the day with their friends working out. (haha). Yes, the number 1 figure to blame is the court systems, BUT when someone has such an extensive record, and involved so many times through her 20 years of use, then everything from then on out is the addicts choice. The state did try to help her at one point. But if you dont accept help, then who is to blame? Our laws were made before meth became such an epedimic. Our law books need to be updated to reflect the seriousness of this addiction. Did you see the guy that was arrested for hurting that 7yr old girl in Albany? That guy was in the tweeker crowd... new him many years back.. and he was on that stuff. It is a HUGE problem in that county and until the judges start giving them harsher penalties, unfortunately it will continue and get worse. I guess it will take having someone in the sheriffs department be a victim of a violent crime from a tweeker. Maybe then, they will feel the need to actually lock them up.

Albert Marnell August 13, 2006 8:31 am (Pacific time)

To Texas Justice and Stupid Tweekers. Maybe I was a little harsh on you guys. Don't underestimate people my age. As you get older you will become more compassionate. I would rather be like Mother Teresa who never gave up on anyone than to be like Stalin. Also, I do not know everything but know more than most people will ever know for various reasons. To call a 50 year old an "old fart" is actually quite amusing. You will get here soon enough and see how the disrespect feels. Maybe in this case I had it coming to me because I was harsh. If you knew me, you would like me. My mother, brother and father were alchoholic. I thank God for my German grandparents who were the role models that I looked toward. I had to distance myself from my own parents at times but never gave up on them. I had to give up on my brother because it was a daily battle with sociopathic lying and a narcissistic personality disorder. He has no real conscious and rationalizes everything he does. He is financially comfortable and not on substances anymore. Here is a case of a sober person that is impossible for me to deal with because of a trait disorder vs. a state disorder. Rachel had a state disorder, meaning that it can be changed relatively easily compared to a trait disorder which is an integral part of one's personality. Anyway the exchange that many people had about Rachel was very consciousness raising. Bottom line, I would have liked to see her confined to a long term drug and psychiatric facility rather than spending so much money on police, jails, corrections officers, judges, probation officers etc. If we can afford Iraq and corporate welfare, we can well afford to help people like Rachel. One size does not fit all even with meth addicts. Sorry guys about my anger, I just have seen too many people abandoned in my life who could have survived, especially people with limited financial means. I have thought about the disrespect that I showed you guys and feel that it was not the right thing. I hope that you rethink your attitudes of people who are 20 or 30 years older. Do not judge a book by it's cover. Besides for my age the cover ain't so bad.

Gary Dee August 13, 2006 1:24 am (Pacific time)

@ Texas Justice --- quote "let someone like me who is strong enough " answer: You probably are the new mexican Superman :-D

stupid tweekers August 12, 2006 1:05 pm (Pacific time)

Your stupid too. Did you KNOW Rachel Soto? I actually DID know her. I went to school with her and have first hand knowledge of her life. So dont go acting like you are the spokes person on dealing with these people. She gave up on her children, her family, and herself. Nobody to blame but herself. All of her friends are tweeked out and they all deserve the fate that becomes them as well. I dont HAVE to show compassion to ANYONE that wouldnt show compassion to themselves. It doesnt make me a bad person. It makes me SICK of these people and what they become. Everyone in life has a choice. We all decide what we do with ourselves and when you make a decision to act like an idiot, then you throw out all expectations of getting respect. I feel sorry for you because with that attitude/opinion, you have probably been a victim many times in your years. It is what it is. She was a tweeker and her kids are better off without her.

Texas Justice! August 12, 2006 1:00 pm (Pacific time)

To the old fart that thinks he knows everything. Look, just because you are over 50, does not make you a genius. It just means that you have lasted longer in this twisted world. Dont assume that because I am from TexASS that I support Bush. I think he is an idiot. Dont tell me about what he has done. I lived in a state where he was governer. I was dealing with his B.S far longer than you have buddy. I am in no way a 'cowboy' either. In fact, if you guys think you know so much about Texas, then you should be calling me a mexican, cause that is what is in Texas. Not cowboys. Dont even get me started on that battle. You have obviously never dealt with a meth head first hand to have the opinion you do. "If they are troubled as severely as Rachel and you can not deal with her let someone like me who is strong enough to try to help her do it.". ANYONE who has dealt with meth knows that your statement is hollow. You'll be one of the suckers sitting in your house with no furniture and no electronics because you tried to help a tweeker 'out of the kindness of your so elderly heart' and they ripped your ass off. Do you think that her family just wrote her off for no reason? tweekers dont want help. It isnt impossible to quit. They dont quit because they dont WANT to. Thats ok. People like you can waste your lives helping people that dont want to help themselves. Better you than me. I have my own life that I would like to live. Too bad it involves seeing these scumbags on the side of the road when I drive to my JOB. Stop tweeking by association.

Gary Dee August 12, 2006 9:04 am (Pacific time)

@Texas Justice! --- Ride back home Cowboy, you TT (Texan TWEEKER :-D)

Albert Marnell August 12, 2006 5:10 am (Pacific time)

To Texas Justice and Stupid Tweekers: Let me start with Tex-a**, if your so big on justice why aren't out trying to get President Bush impeached for getting us into an occupation that has cost more lives and money than all the people in Oregon that have died using meth. and then some. How about Catherine Harris who helped him cheat on the election, read the book "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy" by Greg Palast. You both want to talk about criminals and fools. Talk to soldiers from Iraq that will be honest about the crimes going on there. As as for both of you, just because someone defends a homeless person it does not mean that they are homeless. I like my wine and beer with dinner once in a blue moon and if I need anything stronger because a good friend has died, I will go to my doctor to give me something to sleep. Your assumptions and self-righteousness is no different than Al-Quaida. Your "one size fits all" philosophy is sophomoric. And Stupid Tweeker....we are talking about compassion for the weakest and most ill in our society. You do not have to respect her. But if you can not have compassion for her, you can not have compassion for the homeless, the mentally ill or any body else. Let me tell you my friends, I have alot of life experience under my belt because I am over 50 and probably will be dead in 20 years. This life is short. Everyone screws up eventually and in the end it is all Bullshot. Be as good and kind to people as possible. If they are troubled as severely as Rachel and you can not deal with her let someone like me who is strong enough to try to help her do it. The day may come when you become alchoholic or who knows what. None of us knows what the future holds and if you think that you can not become what other's are you are just dumb kids. As for Texas, I was there once, and once was enough. That is a real Jack-A** state.

Texas Justice! August 11, 2006 7:17 pm (Pacific time)

Wow! What an interesting story. I just moved here from Texas and I never even knew what a "Tweeker" was until I moved here. In Tx, yes, I'm sure there is a Meth problem. But I can say this, the court systems aren't over-run by meth people, they aren't overloaded with petty thefts from people on meth. In Tx, if you mess up for anything, it's prosecute to the fullest extent of the law for the crime you commited. Too bad the state of Oregon won't get their heads out of their ass and bring the 3 strikes and your out law. Apparently it works in Texas because you don't see "Tweekers" everywhere like you do here. It's a DAMN SHAME! Anyway, just my 2 cents but I will say one last thing. If your on METH, your a tweeker. If you hang out with people that are on METH your a tweeker. If you walk around all day and do nothing, your a tweeker. If you hold a sign on the corner asking for money, your a tweeker. Man I can go on and on and on. Oh yeah, Rachel Soto, was a TWEEKER. And all you Tweekers that keep defending her on here, YOUR A TWEEKER, so keep on tweeking so you will end up dead too, or in jail, but wait you'll get out to tweek again! DAMN TWEEKERS! 3 strikes baby!! Bring it!

Stupid Tweekers August 10, 2006 5:37 pm (Pacific time)

Why should I display any respect towards Rachel Soto? She showed no respect for herself or anyone around her. She had no respect for her family or her children. Stop saying "she would do anything for her kids and her man". What a freaking joke. Does that mean that she would do anything but QUIT doing drugs? Look up her criminal record. She had so many chances to stop tweeking and start a new life. All of you people that have a problem with one less tweeker on the streets are probably tweekers yourselves or looking for an excuse to blame the police. She doesn't deserve respect from law abiding citizens that take care of their business instead of asking the state to fix all of their problems. If she was so 'good' then she wouldnt have been doing what she was doing. Hopefully all of these meth heads keep up the good work and kill off themselves one by one. I'm tired of paying for their rehabs and jail vacations.

to in loving memory august 9 August 10, 2006 1:45 pm (Pacific time)

How do you know she died of a broken heart? Are you sure that is what it was? Why did she have a broken heart?

U. Suk August 9, 2006 7:42 pm (Pacific time)

Hey Jason Carlile, What if one day one of your kids or one of your friends kids winds up like Rachel, are you going to say they deserve to die also? Now that you did the Police Department a favor by this ridiculous assessment, what are they going to do for you? You and your fancy suits and new shoes, you male whore!

Albert Marnell August 9, 2006 7:34 pm (Pacific time)

Linn D.A.=s Duck's A**. Three men are there trained in weapons and everything else and they have to shoot a woman who is probably doped up and half asleep. They couldn't through in tear gas or something. What a bunch of Goons and as for you D.A. Linn County you are full of Shoot. Drop dead you a** kissing cop lover! Windbag! Do the cops like you now? Are you happy that you made those morons happy? Three big men against one woman with no training. SHOW US THE TAPE YOU PHONIES AND WHY DID YOU NOT USE TEAR GAS OR SOMETHING. You had vilified her in your mind so much that you thought she was not human? I have seen people like Rachel turn around and get healthy again. She once was healthy, then she became sick and you jerks kill her? The next time you have a disease in your family, I should call Dr. Kevorkian. When a person is that troubled they are sensitive and are hurting from something. YOU BUNCH OF CLOWNS!

In Loving Memory August 9, 2006 4:58 pm (Pacific time)

WHY CAN'T YOU PEOPLE JUST LET RACHEL AND HER FAMILY REST! THIS IS BULL CRAP! I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY EVERYONE THAT DISAGREES WITH HER DECISIONS HAS TO SAY ANYTHING. LET THE FAMILY HEAL FROM THE LOSS OF HER. lET HER CHILDREN AND THE ONES THAT REALLY KNOW HOW SHE WAS DEAL WITH HER BEING GONE. WE DO NOT NEED THIS CRAP!!!! SHE DID NOT DIE BECAUSE OF DRUGS SHE DIED DUE TO A BROKE HEART! GET A LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

what a joke!!! August 9, 2006 12:14 pm (Pacific time)

Linn D.A.: Soto shooting justified By Carrie Petersen Albany Democrat-Herald After reviewing evidence and police reports, Linn County District Attorney Jason Carlile has concluded that Albany Police Officer Dezi Meza was justified when he fatally shot Rachel Lea Soto while she sat in the back seat of a parked car. In a letter to Oregon State Police Detective Dan Wolverton, Carlile wrote that Soto “intended to create a life and death situat ion” and that Meza “acted reasonably and in self-defense.” Meza and two other officers had approached the car at about 1:45 a.m. July 20 after spotting two people inside the vehicle in the 3800 block of Mountain View Drive S.E. Meza recognized Soto as the person police had been looking for in connection with three armed robberies. Carlile wrote, “Meza repeatedly warned, if not pleaded with Soto to comply with his commands. He called her by name in an effort to persuade her to comply peacefully and to avoid a violent confrontation. “Soto chose to disregard those commands, reached in to her clothing and drew a loaded, silver colored semi-automatic handgun. Only then did Officer Meza justifiably, while in fear for his life and the lives of others, fire a singl e round at Ms. Soto.” Carlile also wrote that Soto was wanted at the time of the incident for outstanding warrants and in connection with the robberies, which were committed with a handgun that looked like the one she displayed the night of the shooting. “ She had been identified as armed, dangerous and with violent tendencies, based both upon her extensive criminal history and recent events. Recent briefings covered all this information for APD officers, including Officer Meza,” Carlile wrote. The district attorney in his letter also thanked state police personnel for their investigation, which was “timely, complete and professional.” Albany Police Chief Ed Boyd said Meza, who has been on administrative leave since the shooting, will return to work Friday. “We’re very happy that Dezi’s coming back to work,” he said. “Dezi as well as the rest of the officers and staff performed their jobs professionally with great character, and they are an absolute credit to the Albany Police Department and the community the y serve.” Carrie Petersen can be reached at carrie.petersen@lee.net or 812-6114.

Anonymous August 9, 2006 12:12 pm (Pacific time)

Read th albany democrat herald today and it will tell you how the officer was justified.. Of course he was.. that is what they sy all the time.. in how many inncidents does are the officers not justified? They all look out for oneanouther just like a gang i still say show the video..... He should not have shot her in the head he could have shot her somewhere else and taken her alive!! but he is a police officer and so that means he can do what he wants and it will be covered to protect the apd!!!!! What if she was a rih outstanding citizen of the community would they have done the same? NO they would not have.... But because of the meth and they way people are judged they did not care to take her alive.... why don't they do this to the sex offenders and rapest of our women ad children?

Anonymous August 9, 2006 8:57 am (Pacific time)

read her freind july 21 10:13 pm.Rachel was not all bad and she did sometimes have a bad attitude but she loved he boyfriend and her daughters...I agree that she might have had a mental problem plus post partum depression her youngest daughter is only 2... I am not a dr but i know how hard life can be.. the differance between me and rachel is that she took action and i learned how to deal...

the good in her life August 9, 2006 7:59 am (Pacific time)

Keep her memory alive!!! Don't let the fire for her die down www.rachel-soto.memory-of.com

pigs... August 9, 2006 7:56 am (Pacific time)

I agree.. Where is the video? And how come we have not heard anything about the investigation.. is it done? is it still going? We don't know..... is the officer still on administrative leave? If the APD is being that hush-hush there must be something that they don't want to tell!! But how will we know? They never even mentioned where she was shot at.. they just said that she was shot and pronounced dead at the seen ( we all know that she was shot in the head) but we did not get that from them.. they are hiding things from us to cover their ass!!!!

Albert Marnell August 9, 2006 12:17 am (Pacific time)

DON'T LET THE FIRE FOR RACHEL DIE DOWN. THERE MUST BE A VIDEO TAPE. DON'T LET THE D.A. BE CHUMMY WITH THE POLICE. THEY HOPE THIS WILL GO AWAY, IT LOOKS LIKE A COVER-UP. SHE WAS SHOT ALMOST 3 WEEKS AGO, WHERE IS THE PROOF THAT SHE HAD TO BE KILLED?

Name with-held August 8, 2006 9:45 pm (Pacific time)

It is a sad thing that happened to Rachel. I knew her and she would do anything to protect her family and her man. She had a family. Her poor daughter Alexis, she has lost 2 mommys in her life and she isn't even 8 years old yet. What a tragedy!!

PISSED August 8, 2006 3:36 pm (Pacific time)

LOOK>>>> SHE WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD---- SHE SHOED HER GUN YES BUT THE WINDOW TO THE CAR WAS UP SHE WS SITTING DOWN.. THE POLICE ARE ARMED THEY WEAR VESTS JUST IN CASE THEY CAVE TO TAKE A BULLET.. NO MATTER WHAT SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SHOT IN THE HEAD.......

Albert Marnell August 8, 2006 3:19 pm (Pacific time)

Dear Innocent, Where is your outrage about our administration killing tens of thousands of innocent people in Iraq? Your parents were correct in their prediction of cause and effect. However, if you knew law, people are supposed to be taken alive especially when they have never killed anyone. Rachel proved time and time again that she was not a killer. Again and again I say, "The police are not the judge, the jury and the executioner, that is what we have courts and trials for." Your analysis is as simple minded as a young child. As was said to someone else, if you are always speeding in your car you are endangering lives because a motor vehicle is counted as a deadly weapon. Should the police shoot you? They have the training and the equipment to take people alive. Also, you can bet your ass that there is a video tape that is being hidden. Someone has to demand that it be shown. You have never been on wrong side of the police. I have a lifetime of experience with them not because I engage in criminal activity but because over 50 years I have requested their help for myself and others and they are corrupt and evil and stupid. I do not make any excuses for them anymore. 99% of the are no damn good. Didn't you know how many people are murdered by the wonderful police every year? I am talking about people that they just do not like or have not given them their cut in a drug deal or someone wanted to report them for engaging in a crime. You sure are fooled by the uniform, the image (that is all that it is) and the myth that the media perpetuates out of fear of the mafia in blue.

Anonymous August 8, 2006 9:40 am (Pacific time)

All i'm saying is that no matter who she was or what she did people should have a little more respect.. she is gone so what is the point of putting her down what good is it doing? Making you feel better about yourself? i am not saying she was a good or bad person all i am saying is that who are we to judge? NO ONE...... no one is perfect and we all make mistakes....

innocent? August 8, 2006 7:40 am (Pacific time)

I'll tell ya what.. my parents taught me that if I turned out to be a drug addict and waved guns around at cops, then I would more than likely be shot. Oh, poor Rachel.... poor this, poor that. Come on people. We are all held accountable for our actions and anyone who thinks that she didnt deserve it is ignorant. If she didnt want to 'go out blazing' then she would have contacted the APD and turned herself in because she didnt want to be shot during an arrest. It doesnt take a genius to figure out that if the cops have you labled as 'armed and dangerous' that they arent going to be nice. She had more chances in her life than a lot of people. She isnt the victim here people.

Anonymous August 7, 2006 10:39 am (Pacific time)

Did your parents ever teach you if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say nothin at all? Do you people forget that Rachel was a human..That she does have a family and freinds-- CHILDREN who are still alive and care? Some of you have no respect and no idea of what you are really talking about... You should think before you speak and act!!!!

SICK OF STUPID PEOPLE August 7, 2006 5:50 am (Pacific time)

The only LOOSER is SICK of LOOSERS. If you are sick of criminals why don't you go to www.badcopnews.com and see who the real law breakers are. The reports of Law Enforcement Crime are only the tip of the iceberg because the police are organized crime and cover-up 99% of their criminal activity. They are so dumb and crazy they do not even know when they have broken the law half the time. Like Albert Marnell said, when was the last time you past a red light which can kill many, many people. Your remark is self-righteous, cruel and just plain stupid. Do you think the way you speak is manly guy talk? Real men are protectors of everyone and try to pardon and see things at a higher level. I hope you make it there one day.

Albert Marnell August 7, 2006 3:02 am (Pacific time)

To Sick of Loosers, You are a real young moron. The police are not judge jury and executioner. That is not their job. Go back to college or go to a better college. Maybe a cop will shoot and kill you when you are speeding because a vehicle is a deadly weapon. He would according to you only be upholding the law.

NOW.... August 4, 2006 10:12 am (Pacific time)

It does not matter now shes GONE and we all know that the cop will get off.. they always do.. i just hope that people remember that there is such a thing as CARMA good and bad so be careful what you say and do because it will come back to you!! R.I.P Rachel you will be missed!

SICK OF LOSERS in Albany August 3, 2006 3:11 pm (Pacific time)

Rachel was a LOSER meth head along with all of her friend and family that are ohhhh sooooo sickenly objecting to the officer doing his DUTY to uphold and protect LAW ABIDING citizens. HELLLLLOOOO. Obey the law and live to see another day.

In memory August 2, 2006 4:37 pm (Pacific time)

Thank you. And please make sure to light a candle for Rachel while you are visiting Her site http://rachel-soto.memory-of.com/ And if you have any photos or anything you would like to add you can contact me from this site! Thanks you!

to IN MEMORY July 31, 2006 1:58 pm (Pacific time)

YOU MIGHT WANT TO TELL THE PERSON WHO SET UP THE MEMORIAL SITE ON THAT WEBSITE THAT THEY HAVE HER BIRTHYEAR WRONG. IT WAS 1973

In Loving Memory July 31, 2006 12:25 pm (Pacific time)

The memorial for Rachel was wonderful. I just want to say that Rachel was an excellent person until she felt she had lost everything important to her then she chose to take a different route. I bet she had no idea how many people she would hurt by not being here no longer. I will always remember Rachel and my you rest in peace and believe me you will always have a place in my heart!!! I love you Rachel Lea Soto!

In memory July 31, 2006 10:50 am (Pacific time)

For those of you who would like to keep the memory of Rachel alive please visit rachel-soto.memory-of.com There is a place to donate to help keep this site going!!

Gary Dee July 29, 2006 4:47 pm (Pacific time)

To Truth July 29, 2006 8:46 am "NO PICTURE,NO WRONG"

Truth July 29, 2006 8:46 am (Pacific time)

Today in Seattle, Naveed Afzal Haq, 30, was booked into King County Jail after he shot 6 people at a Seattle Jewish Center. A SWAT team took him alive. Rachel never shot anyone. What is wrong with this picture. ROLL OUT THE TAPE!

in memory... July 28, 2006 11:59 am (Pacific time)

A service in Memorey of rachel wil be held today @ 3 p.m. located in fisher fUneral home 3rd and Washington st in Albany

Anonymous July 28, 2006 11:25 am (Pacific time)

I agree with bolth two last comments! It seems everything is being hush hush except how bad of a persom miss rachel soto was.. it seems like the APD is trying to cover their mistake by pushing her bad mistakes in our heads... I have seen and heard of many a people who are worse off then rachel was talked to by police for hours and some actually are waiving their guns around... They are taken alive... There was two other officers at the scene with officer meza...did he really need to shoot her in the head and kill her? what kind of gun did she have? how many bullets where in the chamber? Was she taking the gun out of her purse to kill the officer or was she trying to hide the gun as so not to get in to more trouble? We will never know because the police never tell us anything except for what the sit and make up for the press.......

Not Christ July 28, 2006 2:45 am (Pacific time)

NUTS, We do not know if she pulled out a gun until they ROLL OUT THE TAPE! You can not believe what a police officer or anyone else says, you have to prove it besides they are supposed to be trained to take people alive when possible. If he knew it was her he should have retreated and called for back-up or flattened the tires with the gun. That is what a skilled officer would do. That is what police are trained to do. I am not damning Officer Meza but the truth is the truth and let us see objectively what happened. It is not an officers job to be judge, jury and executioner. It is possible he had no choice but I doubt it. She never shot anyone before, she just tried to scare them with the gun. A civilian would have the right to shoot back because they are not trained like the police are trained. The police know the many options and again they have back-up. A civilian does not.

Dear Murder by Police July 28, 2006 2:36 am (Pacific time)

I too am more frightened of a police officer than a person on meth. Most police are drugged with attitude, anger, ego, power (because they are in a gang). They rarely seek emotional help when they need it, yet they carry guns? This does not make sense. They should be forced into periodic psychiatric exams and if they do not cooperate or act as if everything is peachy keen and try to fake being ok, they should have there weapons taken away. After 9/11 when they had counseling for all of the police in a very large group, not one opened their mouth except for one female officer.

Gary Dee July 27, 2006 4:13 pm (Pacific time)

All i have left to say is: IT HAPPENED;SHE´S DEAD;ALL WORDS; IF PRO OR CONTRA; WON´T BRING HER BACK:SHE IS DEAD; AND NOW FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN GOD; AND FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO DO NOT; LET US ALL TOGETHER KEEP SILENCE FROM NOW ON; AND LEAVE HER SOUL PART IN PEACE!PLEASE!ALL O)F US BELONG TO ONE BIG FAMILY; WE NEED TO STAND BESIDE EACHOTHER,NOMATTER HOW TRAGIC THE END OF LIFE MAY BE.LETS KEEP SAYING THAT ALL OF US WHO POSTED SOME OPPINIONS,RIGHT OR WRONG,RACHEL WOULD BE HAPPY IN SEEING US JUST REACHING OUR HANDS; AND DISCOVERING THAT WE ALL ARE HUMAN AND !!!! EVERYONE OF US !!!! CAN SLIP OF THE WAY WE ARE AT.I BELIEVE NOW THAT SHE WANTS PEACE ON EARTH AND NOT THIS SEPERATED DISCUSSION ABOUT WHO WAS WRONG OR WHO WAS RIGHT.WE ARE ALL A PART OF GOD GREAT BIG FAMILY,THE ONE WHO ARE PRO and THE ONES WHO ARE CONTRA.LET US ALL MELT UP TOGETHER AND REUNITE TO THE DESTINY:EVERYONE WILL DIE SOMEDAY,SOME MAY GET KILLED IN THE LINE OF DRUGS;SOME BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN ILLNESS;SOME OTHERS PREFER TO CHOOSE SUICIDE.NOMATTER HOW IT MAY BE, LETS REACH OUT HANDS FOR ONE ANOTHER JUST THE SAME; TO COMPARE WITH RACHEL; AS IT HAPPEND ON 9/11.WE ALL STOOD CLOSE.AND NEVER EVER FORGET:EVERY DEATH; NOMATTER HOW IT HAPPENED IS A TRAGIC FOR ITS SELF.IN LIFE WE SHOULD RESPECT DEATH NOMATTER HOW IT OCCURED.I LOVE YOU ALL, YOU POSTERS NOMATTER IF YOU ARE DRUG ADDICTS OR CLEAN:WE WERE ALL AN INNOCENT BABY AT BIRTH,AN WE STILL HAVE THISE INNOCENCE IN OURSELFS:SO PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR NEIGHBOR WHO COULD BE YOU,IF HE`D ONLY LIVED YOUR EXPERIENCES IN LIFE.IT`S ONLY LOVE,THAT CAN REALIZE A STRONG LOVING COMMUNITY !!!

sm age 7 July 27, 2006 2:37 pm (Pacific time)

Roses are red violets are blue RACHEL was sweet and so are you. We all have tears that drop from our eyes because she has passed it is really sad . We know she was bad sometimes, but for a long while she was nice. we will always remember her.. this was written by a 7 year old little girl who was also close to rachel and is saddened by her death!..

response to nuts.. July 27, 2006 11:04 am (Pacific time)

The police are trained to deal with criminals that is their job! There is no reason why he had to shoot her in the head and kill her he could have shot her in the arm or chest even... their duty is to serve justice.. but not by murdering.... AND THE REASON THAT SHE WAS OUT ON THE STREETS IN THE FIRST PLACE IS BECAUSE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM SUCKS! IF SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN PUNISHED FOR THE CRIMES SHE COMMITED BEFORE THIS HAPPENED SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED UP.. SO YOU SHOULD BE BLAMING THE SYSTEM FOR NOT DOING THEIR JOB..SHE WAS SUCH A CRIMINAL WITH A LONG WRAP SHEET BUT THE COURTS AND JUDGES KEPT LETTING HER BACK OUT ON THE STREETS.... DID YOU KNOW RACHEL? I DID!!!!how do you know she was given every opportunity? MABYE SHE DID WANT THE POLICE TO AID HER IN HER DEATH AND END HER MISERY...BUT... THAT IS WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO HELP HER.. TALK HER OUT OF IT... WHEN SOMEONE IS STANDING ON A LEDGE DO THE POLICE PUSH THEM OFF? SO THEY SAY WELL YOU ARE A METH HEAD AND A LOOSER SO JUMP JUST SHOW MW YOUR GUN YOU HAVE IN YOUR BACK POCKET AND THEY I WILL PUSH YOU? DID SHE HAVE A REAL GUN? WE WILL NEVER KNOW BECAUSE THE POLICE ARE NOT TELLING US.. AND IT DID NOT SAY SHE POINTED THE GUN.. IT JUST SAID SHE REVEALED A GUN... AND FOR YOU TO SAY THE POLICE OFFICERS LIFE WAS MORE VALUBALE IS CRAP.. WE ARE ALL CREATED EQUAL.. I AM SURE OFICER MEZA IS NOT PERFECT!!!

JOVAN July 27, 2006 10:37 am (Pacific time)

" JUDGE NOT, THAT YOU BE NOT JUDGED. FOR WITH WHAT JUDGEMENT YOU JUDGE, YOU WILL BE JUDGED; AND WITH MEASURE YOU USE, IT WILL BE MEASURED BACK TO YOU. AND WHY DO YOU LOOK AT THE SPECK IN YOUR BROTHERS EYE, BUT DO NOT CONSIDER THE PLANK IN YOUR OWN EYE. OR HOW CAN YOU SAY TO YOUR BROTHER, LET ME REMOVE THE SPECK FROM YOUR EYE; AND LOOK, A PLANK IS IN YOUR OWN EYE? HYPOCRITE! FIRST REMOVE THE PLANK FROM YOUR OWN EYE AND THEN YOU WILL SEE CLEARLY TO REMOVE THE SPECK FROM YOUR BROTHERS EYE......MATTHEW 7:1-7:5

Please forgive me lord.. July 27, 2006 10:25 am (Pacific time)

if there is a lesson learned her i think it would be... Treat others as if they will die tomorrow!!!

Life gone..Lesson Learned July 27, 2006 10:22 am (Pacific time)

I knew Rachel for the past 6 years. I knew her through her good times and bad. And i to prejudged her! i knew her when she cooked three course meals for her family and made homemade pinatas for all the kids. She made homeade halloween costumes and blankets. When she donated to the needy and attended church. But when she started changing and becoming a differant person i judged her and turned my back on her. I am not saying the things she did was right but i think that we all see people in a differant light.. and what if in her last few days i would have picked up the phone and let her hear my voice and gave her a voice of reason....what if i would have invited her to coffee to talk about her problems and mabye try to find ways to help her-- invited her to church...said a prayer with her? WHAT IF.... It is heart breaking that it took her loosing her life for me to see who i have become. I beleive GOD puts everyone in our lives for a reason.. some are for a season and some for a lifetime..Rachel was for a season but i know that in that season i leared something from her life and for that i say thank you RACHEL. I too am close to someone who loved her with all his heart and i share his pain as well as the pain of knowing that mabye i too could have helped her but did not because of my own selfishness.R.I.P. SAVE ME A PLACE IN HEAVEN!!!

? July 27, 2006 9:45 am (Pacific time)

IT IS SO SAD THAT RACHELS LIFE HAD TO END THE WAY IT DID.SHE HAD ALOT OF POTENTIAL.TO ALL WHO SIT and JUDGE; "MYSELF INCLUDED"MIGHT WANT TO RETHINK HOW WE SEE~ YET OVERLOOK THE LIVES OF OTHERS...I KNEW RACHELand IT BREAKS MY HEART TO KNOW THAT I TO JUDGED HER,,and CHOSE NOT TO BREAK THROUGH HER HARD WALL SHE BUILT,,I MAY HAVE BEEN THAT ONE PERSON THAT HELPED..AND BECAUSE I LOVE SOMEONE,THAT LOVED HER;THIS WILL HAUNT ME FOR A LONG TIME TO COME~ ~ REST IN PEACE RACHEL:

nuts July 27, 2006 8:07 am (Pacific time)

This is for the people who keep asking "why didnt the cop try to talk to her first?", and "why did the cop shoot to kill?" OMG people! Maybe because he thought she was going to kill him when she DREW HER GUN ON HIM! It is amazing how you all care 'oh so much' for little miss meth head, but what about the cop? Did SHE try to talk to him first? The last I heard was that in the United States of America, if a known criminal who is labeled armed and dangerous points a gun at an officer, they have the RIGHT to shoot to kill. Was he supposed to let her harm him first and THEN ask questions? Give me a break. Why didnt she turn herself in after seeing her picture posted all over the news? Why did she keep going out and robbing places? Its because she had no value on other peoples lives and she had a death wish! Anyone who KNOWINGLY pulls out a gun on an officer DESERVES to be served justice. This is common sense people. Stop making her a meth marytr. She had all the chances in the world to turn herself in and avoid some big confrontation with the police. When you have committed armed robbery and are wanted by the police and you continue to run and do drugs and continuing your crimes...how else did she think it was going to turn out? Did she think that the cop was going to see her gun and run? did she think that they were going to ask her to please come with them after they brush her hair? Come on people... Officer Meza has a family too and you are completely ignorant if you think his life was less valuable than hers.

close to rachel July 26, 2006 2:48 pm (Pacific time)

Ourr illusion of control dies very slowly. yet, it may be that our trying to control everything is what's killing us the fastest!! Think about it... Rachel was a young women with a life like us all.. a roller coaster of ups and downs. I knew her in her good times and bad. We are are born with a plan and only God knows that plan. I send my prayers not to her mom and brothers who were to ashamed to even mention their name in her obituary but to those of her who really loved her and cared about her as a person.

to close to home July 26, 2006 2:38 pm (Pacific time)

The myths of a normal childhood and a functional family have probably done more to set back our frowth and acceptance of our reality than anything else in our lives. our job is to deal with what we are dealt, not to stagnate with what wasn't there.

MURDER BY POLICE July 26, 2006 1:19 pm (Pacific time)

Where was she shot at? In the head? Why did the police officer just shoot her to kill? Is there a GOOD reason why he did not try some of their other options before shooting? i thought the police are trained to be able to handel these situations with care, trying differant options before they shoot. And it seems like the officer just did what he wanted to not using any of those other methods....What about trying to talk sense to her? Did he even warn her? Tell her to drop her weapon? I did not see any of that in any of the articals.... I think that the police officer should really be looked at.. This is a shame. It makes me fear the police more than a meth head!!!

Anonymous July 26, 2006 12:38 pm (Pacific time)

for the wages of sin is death, but the gift if god is eternal life in christ jesus our lord. she is in a better place.. R.I.P. Rachel we will remember you in your good times and bad! No matter what you touched us all!

i'm home July 26, 2006 9:58 am (Pacific time)

I am satisfied with JESUS i am as happy as can be i'm satisfied with JESUS and jesus is satisfied with me i have heard it said a time or two ' i can't get no satisfaction" and when i start to sing the blues i have that same reaction but in searching for significance i've finaly found the key That jesus is satisfied with the likes of me i'm satisfied with jesus i'm as happy as can be i'm satisfied with jesus and jesus is satisfied with me my soul is finnaly satisfied for he is all i need and that is why i testify My spirit has been FREED! Jesus has accepted me My heart He's rearranged no matter what the circumstance my opinion does not change i am satisfied with jesus i'm as happy as can be i'm satisfied with jesus and Jesus is satisfied with me

her friend July 26, 2006 12:17 am (Pacific time)

To all of Rachels friends that wish to say good bye to her a funeral service will be held at Fischer Funeral Home in Albany @ 3pm . Her Boyfriend had to fight to make this possible.

who are we? July 25, 2006 1:35 pm (Pacific time)

i agree with ??????? july 24th.. Is it about the family or rachel? it is a shame that you care to much about what other people think to properly and respectfully give her a memorial service. You should be ashamed! NO MATTER WHAT ...that is what family is suppose to be about!UNCONDITIONAL love expecially from your mother! I beleive that is one of the reasons we have so many children growing in to a life like the one Rachel ended up taking. Too amny people turning their backs on their own families expecially their children. Now i am not supporting her an anyway shape or form but you also have to think of her as a human and also think of her 4 childeren... no matter what that was their mommy and they should be able to greive for her and have a place to go visit and remember her... We all make mistakes some of us learn from them and start walking a straight path and some of us struggle untill the end.. She did make her own decisions and she did have many chances to better her life and she chose not to. We don't know why people do the things they do.. but god knows who and why and that is all that matters. She is gone now let her rest in peace and try to remember that she was someones mother someones daughter someones sister girlfriend and friend.. i also agree that the police officer should have thought before he fired his weapon.. she was sitting down in the car with the window rolled up.. What ever happened to stepping back and trying to talk sense into someone and help them? NO MATTER who you are.. that is their job.. they are not suppose to judge us for who we are they are.. and i think The APD pre judged her and thought that she was just one more " meth head" and that was that..

Not Christ July 24, 2006 8:23 pm (Pacific time)

Dear ?????????, You are right on target. I still say ROLL OUT THE TAPE! It has to be there. The police today tape it all. And while you are at it go to www.badcopnews.com. Spread the word. By the way most judges are just political hack lawyers looking for a secure job. They should not be allowed to wear a robe. They are just lawyers. Lawyers are just people. They want a Pope like image. They all do favors. Screw the judges too. Make them wear shorts and sneakers to defrock their image. Then put them in jail.

???????? July 24, 2006 4:49 pm (Pacific time)

Does anyone really deserve to be shot in the head by a Police officer? Are we just supposed to disable them or Murder them? Rachel was a great person and very smart person who needed and was asking for help. So those of you who talk about stupid meth heads act a lot like murderers yourselves. I am annoyed by meth heads all the time and I don't know what the answer is to the problem but I don't wish death on anyone. Meth is a nasty addicting drug that I am sure not even Rachel liked being addicted to. Saying things like one more off the streets or cheering Woohoo because someone has died WILL come back to haunt you in some way or another. BELIEVE THAT. And if anyone in her family is reading this you are a disgrace to what families are supposed to be about. Don't call the funeral home until it is posted all over the paper that you haven't called, private service?, She knew so many people good or bad who cares is it about you or is it about Rachel? I am sure you have all kinds of stories about what she did to you throughout these bad years but does it really matter now? She's DEAD.

Gary Dee July 23, 2006 12:11 am (Pacific time)

As a person who never knew her and only fell across this story, related to looking at her picture, it tells me that she seems INDEED to be a nice person.And if you still do not comprehend my opinion, i agree with the following posters, so you can take a look back what they wrote, and maybe some of you folks will understand, and change your own opinion about that human being, that used to be as all of you a newborn innocent being. Won Moe Tyme July 21, 2006 9:55 am Not Christ July 21, 2006 4:41 pm To Rachels Friend July 21, 2006 10:13 pm

2 Who July 22, 2006 9:07 am (Pacific time)

You must have visited www.badcopnews.com People should see at least a fraction of abuse by police in this country and the politicians, D.A.s, organized crime and others that conspire with them.

WHO July 22, 2006 12:46 am (Pacific time)

This is sad what happened to Rachel. I looked a news website today and there was like 5 shootings involving police.

a friend of a friend July 22, 2006 12:40 am (Pacific time)

I knew Rachel through some good friends of mine. Every time I was around her, she was always talking about her shop in Lebanon LEXI'S, She always had her little girls with her. It is sad that her life had to end so quickly. She was a loving and caring person and a wonderful mother. Those little girls were so spoiled.

Her Friend July 21, 2006 10:13 pm (Pacific time)

What the heck is wrong with you people ? Reguardless of any of her faults she was a human being and sadlly has past. People sit here and pass judgement what ever happened to the belief of " if you dont have anything nice to say then dont say it all ? " Let her rest in piece and let the people who knew her as a different person then the media has potrayed her to be, say something on behalf of her before they lay her to rest. Have a little respect for the dead. I dont care what U people say I KNOW Rachel was not all bad !!

To Rachels Friend July 21, 2006 10:13 pm (Pacific time)

I think you have brought a beautiful close to this discussion. I for one am all the more enlightened and greatful that you put a human face on all involved. From this point hopefully the system will decide if a mistake was made. I believe what you believe. I am glad to hear that her brother was a police officer. If Officer Meza made a mistake it should be brought to light. I blame society for distorting and simplifying people who are troubled and lost. If Officer Meza made a mistake, I blame our culture because of it's lack of compassion for people in general. Tim King's piece on the homeless is a perfect example of this. Rachel was out of control but we all have this potential in us. Here but for the grace of God. I can only pity all of those involved and see it as a social ill of the culture which affects how we all think and feel. Nowadays that isn't a good thing.

Her friend July 21, 2006 5:52 pm (Pacific time)

For all those who judge her and never knew her... she had a succseful consignment clothing business and sold items for auction on e-bay. Rachel had kids and a faimly and this "methhead" as some have labeled went thru rehab and on her own free will and was clean for a couple of years. Rachel was a caring and giving person who just wanted to be loved. People that condimed her instead of trying to help her when she messed up, may have been the reason she resorted to the means she did, that lead to her tragic ending. Yhea she made some bad decisions and she should have been held accountable for them but killing her ??? For what reason ?? Thats a bit extreme dont you agree?? Yes armed she was - but dangerous ?? I disagree. The albany officer who shot Rachel knew she was armed and was thought to be dangerous. The albany paper states that the car she was in was parked on the road for an hour with Rachel and the other passenger for an hour before it wes called into the police as a suspcious vehicle. Officer Meza states that he recognized Rachel then why couldnt he have called in Rachel's brother Shane Soto who is also a Albany officer with APD to try to talk some sense into Rachel and handle this differently. Yes I agree the evidence shows that she was armed ,.. But dangerous.. I think I would have to disagree. This iss a sad ending to a beautiful women who had a world of opportunity and lots of talent. It just go's to show that Life is what you make it by the choices that you make in life. To bad Rachels had to be such a short one. We WILL ALL MISS YOU RACH !!!! Se ya on the other side .

Steve July 21, 2006 5:02 pm (Pacific time)

The war on drugs>>>>>1 more off the streets!

Not Christ July 21, 2006 4:41 pm (Pacific time)

There must be a video of the last minutes of Rachel's life. Police cars video everything today. They should show it to the public. They always show selectively what they want. ROLL OUT THE TAPE! Don't say you do not have it! Or that it was destroyed!

ROE DA July 21, 2006 4:30 pm (Pacific time)

The people commenting are exhibiting homicidal impulses to each other just based on a difference of opinion. So how can anyone blame a sick person like Rachel from behaving in a homicidal way. The officer has to be cut a little slack also. I would love to see the encounter with Rachel on video. Why is it that everyone who commits a crime except the police wind up on videos? The police need to be put under surveillance at all times including their families. If we don't watch them we will never know what they are up to. They should not be excluded from watch groups that the public forms to protect themselves from criminal police.

To Close July 21, 2006 3:54 pm (Pacific time)

Dear Close Neighbor, Honey, when you kill someone and have not exhausted all possibilities, you are a murderer. Police should have vests and it is part of their job to take a bullet if such an unfortunate thing happens. They are paramilitary. That is what they get paid for. They have the weapons and hopefully the protection but sad as it is if they die, they know this when they enlist. It is kind of like the army.

AWOL July 21, 2006 3:44 pm (Pacific time)

I agree with the Editor. All of this nonsense is because of the Rockefeller drug laws, meanwhile he died in bed with his hooker, mistress or whatever you want to call a rich gold-digger. Legalize drugs and give it to addicts for free if needed. Marijuana should have been made legal decades ago. If an adult needs drugs like methadone or whatever, stop being a Puritan and let them have it. Just be thankful that you are not an addict. Legalize drugs and people don't have a need to steal. Anyone hooked on cigarettes knows how hard it is to quit. The tobacco companies put something in it to make it extra addictive like heroin. Possession of a controlled substance includes one valium you may have on you to go to your best friends funeral. The police are always drinking and especially in the large cities like LA and New York everyone knows that the police steal drugs and cash and resell it. If you live in a major metro area and don't know this, you are a real fool. Legalize drugs so that people including the police can not profit from it. Get off the prohibition stuff. I am not talking about minors. And as someone else said, it is the parents responsibility to raise their kids to know healthy from unhealthy, notice I do not use the term right and wrong because there is no such thing. We have murdered tens of thousands of innocent people in Iraq and people want to hang a ditzy woman who is a sick addict. Your venom should be so passionate against Bush,Cheney,Rumsfeld,Rice and the rest of them. More and more people are finding out that 9/11 was manufactured by the administration and people believed everything they saw on television. Watch Loose Change 9/11 on the internet. Our own government was behind 9/11 as a pretext to go after oil. Most of the people that they said were hijacking the planes have been found back in their homelands. But you watched T.V. which is ALL governmental and multinational propaganda and did not even ask why NORAD had our fighter jets removed from the country days before. WAKE UP AMERICA!

The Editor July 21, 2006 12:18 pm (Pacific time)

Everyone needs to maintain a level of respect when posting comments here, some are close to being over the line. I know people are passionate and the comments underscore the problems that meth cause in our community. No matter what though, the loss of a human being is significant. The inclusion of respect keeps the conversations rational and productive. Thanks, Salem-News.com.

to close neighbor July 21, 2006 11:57 am (Pacific time)

I am glad that you remained safe that night, because she could have been planning on doing some kind of home invasion or robbery that night. Her picture had been posted everywhere and she knew her days were numbered. People like that justify what they do because they are so drugged out and they think that anyone doing better than them deserves to be ripped off. You are right, she had plenty of opportunities to get help. That person who said that she needed to go to a hospitol is so ignorant! Anyone who knows the judicial system knows that upon the arrests, you are given drug classes, mental evaluations if necessary, and referrels to homes that will help you. I have seen her name so many times on the Linn county inmate page for parole violation. This was due to drug tests coming back positive! Now, we get to look forward to the next headline... Until the judicial system sees that if you scare them into thinking they will serve 30 years for possession, they will ALWAYS be out there. I wish Oregon had the three strikes your out with meth crimes. We would all be safer.

Lela Taylo July 21, 2006 10:48 am (Pacific time)

Just another reason why we need to step up the war against meth!

Won Moe Tyme July 21, 2006 9:55 am (Pacific time)

Rachel belonged in a mental hospital long term, not a jail or a grave. All the money spent in Iraq to kill for oil, money spent on the prison system and police, large corporations stealing billions every hour of the day. I think we can afford to take care of people like her before she gets too crazy. There are no bad people only bad systems. If pot were legal or she could take methadone for life in a confined environment, we can afford that. This Iraq war garbage and corporate crime is what really costs money.

close neighbor July 21, 2006 9:48 am (Pacific time)

I have never read so much garbage in my life. Sik of Caaps is obviously very ignorant of the way police shootings are handled. And to call Mr.Meza a murderer?? PLEASE. I have met Mr.Meza as he helped coach a childs volleyball team this year. I Know some of the other policeman in this town on a personal level also, and all the crap wrote here could not be further from the truth. And no I am not a policeman. I happen to be at the moment adopting my 2nd cousin becasue my cousin is much like Racheal. A worthless Meth Head who HAS HAD OPPURTUNITIES to get help but has bit every hand that has tried to feed her. It would not have surprised me a bit to have seen her in this situation instead of Racheal. The fact is Racheal was a danger to the public, just ask the 7-11 clerk that feared for her life thanks to Racheal. I live only 3 blocks from where this shooting took place, it is good to know the police were there. Its sad that it had to happen that way, Its sad that Racheal made Mr.Meza do something that he will have to think about for the rest of his life. I hope though that Mr.Meza feels no guilt for it, Racheal made her choice to be an outlaw, a meth head, and a danger to albany, and corvallis. Goodbye to her, I hope she finds peace on the other side.

NOT CHRISTIAN July 21, 2006 7:20 am (Pacific time)

Man, wow, what a story! All I know is that the people defending her must be sick too. Are you guys on meth too? That's usually how people react and act when they are on drugs too. How can you compare diabities to meth addiction? Drugs are BY CHOICE and diabities is a disease. And don't give me that about how drug addiction is a disease too! Would you have put Rachel and her drug friends up in your house along with your family and valuables because she was such a good person? She robbed three stores with a gun, but she is a good person? How about how she made the clerks feel at the store? How about the endless victims that she and her friends stole from to buy drugs? You people who defend her are ignorant. Age has nothing to do with it. And to the person who said that I must be young? I am the same age as Rachel because I went to school with her. Don't preach what you don't know. I personally saw that drug addict slip downhill everytime I saw her. She became dirty and gross and it was all because of the CHOICES she made in life. Her family is better off without her because she only caused them pain. Her child is better off too.

Who Said? July 21, 2006 7:01 am (Pacific time)

Who the hell said I was a christian? "Oh, Rachel was SICK".. you guys are a joke. Like I said, look up her records. She has had more than enough opportunities to clean up her act. She didnt give her baby up for a better life, she gave her baby up for a sack of CRANK! So, did she have to actually KILL someone for you to know that she was capable? Would we have to see the headlines read "Robbery Suspect shoots and kills officer" before you would consider her dangerous? Society needs to stop thinking these people are "sick" and start letting these wackjobs live with the life that they chose. Stop taking the money out of my check that I work hard for to pay for all of their rehab bills. Look at this if you think she was such a "victime". Since 1995, Soto had been convicted in Linn County Circuit Court of possession of a controlled substance, theft , resisting arrest, recklessly endangering another, attempting to elude police, and forgery, according to computer records at the courthouse. She had pending charges of first-degree criminal mistreatment and third-degree assault, to which she had pleaded not guilty. She had also been issued failure-to-appear warrants on those charges. In 2005, Soto appeared in court in support of Joshua Burks after he was charged with attempted murder in connection with a fatal shooting in December 2004. She had identified herself as Burks’ girlfriend at the time and she posted his bail. Burks’ case is still pending Oh, but she had no chance to get better huh? She had no money spent on her to fix her drug problem? Its an easy case. She was a meth head and now she is DEAD for it.

Frank Wright July 21, 2006 5:30 am (Pacific time)

Dear Bruce, I have been dealing with law enforcement my whole life. You must have limited life experience. There are a few good apples. Most of the good ones get depressed, commit suicide, become alchoholic, quit, retire a.s.a.p. and most of all are ostracized off of the force if they do not play ball to protect the "gang". The police are the ones who are predjudice, make snap judgements, and can't think outside of the box. If you score too high on a police exam, they will not take you. They do not want people who can think for themselves. I have dealt with hundreds of police officers. They do not know their limits the same way that a dog does not know he is a dog. When you are not a very bright individual you can only get a D- in judgement. If you put all their brains together you still get half a brain. The rocks in one officers head fits the holes in the others. I have lost patience with them and as a boy kind of looked up to them but by age 10 I could see something was really wrong. I am not a criminal or meth addict....just a very educated guy with alot of life experience dealing with these people. Maybe you are on their level. They become officers because they want all the benefits and can't do much else in life. They do not put themselves on the line for anyone but themselves. Just like school teachers, in order to attract the best, this country needs to privatize the police department so that real talent and intelligence can emerge. We need to get rid of dead wood in the public sector. Try to get rid of an officer that is bad. They should be hired and fired just like in the private corporate sector. The police unions are corrupt as hell. Someone mentioned the website badcopnews.com on this website. I did not need to see what I already know is the tip of the iceberg.

Dr. Love July 20, 2006 9:53 pm (Pacific time)

There is no difference between drug addiction and diabetes. We do not kill people who are sick or psychotic in this country or maybe we do. You call yourselves Christians?

Maxwell July 20, 2006 9:24 pm (Pacific time)

She had the compassion to save her baby from herself. If she was a meth head, how can you condemn her and say she knew what she was doing. All of these self-righteous contradictions make me sick. We all love you Rachel. Even when you were at your sickest you had a heart. They never gave you the help that you needed. All the money wasted on the bureaucratic legal system when all you needed was professional help and a safe place. The police and holy people that judged and killed you will have to live with themselves.

Sad July 20, 2006 9:08 pm (Pacific time)

Rachel was not a murderer. You can not put her to death for being sick. So many people label her to dehumanize her. She had a name, a family, a life. When she became sick, I have no idea. But you do not kill a person unless it is truly self defense. The whole report of events makes no logical sense. Did any of you people learn logic? You want to kill people that have not killed even when they had a chance to. You obviously have little experience with the police. There was not reason to look for trouble. She could have been taken alive.

Focus July 20, 2006 8:57 pm (Pacific time)

Focus on the police story people not the meth. Why is the second passenger just brushed over, not identified, no information about the second passenger. No logical reason was given for the vehicle being pulled over. You will never make it in law school. You don't question enough when you don't even know enough. You trivialize the situation into meth not unjustified murder. Meth use is not a death sentence. You guys must be young.

Bruce Rogers July 20, 2006 6:33 pm (Pacific time)

"Sik of Caaps" wants to know why Meza is on leave. Why? Because the police investigate shootings thoroughly. Because they don't want people who act from prejudice (as "Sik of Caaps" clearly does) to be police officers, so they make sure that the officer actually shot because his life or the life of another person was in danger. "Sik of Caaps" demonstrates that he's too prejudiced to ever make judgments based on evidence. Give him part of the story, and he "knows" what went down. It's hard to make democracy work when so many citizens like him, in all colors of the political spectrum, stop thinking because they already "know" the story before they've seen the evidence.

Dbl Tap July 20, 2006 5:41 pm (Pacific time)

Well we all know Sik of Caaps is a paranoid meth head that can at least still work a keyboard and hasn't yet sold his computer for more meth. I to knew Rachel from High School and it doesn't surprise me this is where it ended for her. She abandoned her baby a few years back to run from the police due to her drug use. Yeah it's a police cover up you fricken moron. Guess you're next so go run and hide but make sure you get $10 for your computer so you can score one last time.

ARE YOU KIDDING? July 20, 2006 5:10 pm (Pacific time)

She had a mind of a child? She was a METH HEAD. That girl was on drugs for YEARS. She knew exactly what she was doing with that gun. I am glad that they shot her! It is one less tweeker I have to worry about when I park my car or when I leave my house unattended. Hooray for Dezi Meza. Rachel would have pulled the trigger first if she had been given the chance! She was ALWAYS in jail and knew she wouldnt be getting out this time. Of course she had a real gun! She has burnt so many people in her drug world that she was afraid NOT to have one. I hope everyone in that stupid crowd gets a good look at her casket when they bury her cause it will only be a matter of time before they all need another sack and have no life and no money and believe me you, they WONT CARE WHO THEY HURT to score a bag! Yea, the cops are going fabricate her being a meth junkie for years. How about you run her police record and see how she was so innocent. You need to wake up stop pointing fingers at the people out there putting their life on the line against these lowlifes! I am sure Mr Meza has a family at home and it would be a shame to get killed in the line of duty over a worthless scumbag that would rob a store at gunpoint for a pack of smokes. KUDOS FOR MR. MEZA

OnThe Air.... July 20, 2006 4:48 pm (Pacific time)

It's a strange day, I've known Rachel Since 1st grade, to go to school with someone 7years as a kid and wake up one day to hear she is shot bye the fine Albany police in some weird way is not suprising to me, but am very shocked she is gone, Meth... Runs Albany. R.I.P. Rachel. G

Monroe Davis July 20, 2006 1:18 pm (Pacific time)

sounds fishy? she is on film pulling a gun on a 7-11 clerk, she has robbed 3 places in the last couple weeks. So her pulling a gun on a cop sounds fishy?

Common Sense July 20, 2006 11:05 am (Pacific time)

This account by the police sounds awful fishy to me.

Finally July 20, 2006 11:03 am (Pacific time)

After years of watching meth destroy Linn County, it appears they are all killing themselves off! woohoo!

Sik of Caaps July 20, 2006 11:02 am (Pacific time)

We really will never know what happened when Dezi Meza murdered Rachael Lee Soto. The Captain will say anything to protect his crew. Why is Meza on leave? Got something to hide? Feel frightened of prosecution? Manufacturing an allibi? We never will know if Ms. Soto had a real gun, an empty gun or a fake gun or toy. We do know that she never shot anyone which is more than I can say for Dear Mr. Dezi Meza the real murderer. You certainly can not believe the Captain because part of his job as a police person is to cover up anything to cover his ass and anyone on the force. We don't know if they planted a real gun by Ms. Soto who acted crazy but apparently would never hurt a fly. Never believe or trust the police because they never believe or trust you. In this day and age the police are the natural enemies of the citizenry. They are increasing in numbers like cockroaches not because of crime but because the upper levels of government are preparing for martial law in many areas of the country due to globalization and a corrupt multinational economy. I am broken hearted about Rachel. She did not know that there are real killers out there. She had a mind of a child and because she would never hurt anyone she assummed no one would ever hurt let alone murder her.

Strickland July 20, 2006 11:01 am (Pacific time)

This is what meth does people! I knew her in high school and she had so much potential. She became a worthless meth head and became a poster child for losers

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