"We will come right back to work to answer another call for service that could put our lives in jeopardy again," the sheriff said.
A sheriff's deputy in Riverside County, California has been gunned down in his line of duty. This incident took place just weeks after another deputy from his department was also killed. The man is survived by his pregnant wife.
Deputy Darnell Calhoun, 30, was shot on Friday afternoon while he was responding to a domestic violence and child custody call in Lake Elsinore, Riverside County, Sheriff Chad Bianco revealed at a news conference, as per ABC.
"Dispatch received a call of unknown trouble — there were voices heard in the background. Sounded like there could possibly be a struggle and deputies responded to the scene," the sheriff said. He added, "Deputy Calhoun was the first to arrive. At this point, we are not completely sure of the circumstances surrounding the initial contact. The second deputy arriving found our deputy wounded in the street, and a gunfight between the suspect and that deputy ensued."
We are devastated to announce the passing of Deputy Darnell Calhoun who was killed in the line of duty this afternoon.
— Riverside County Sheriff (@RSO) January 14, 2023
Updates will follow as soon as more information becomes available. pic.twitter.com/jFPtjN1fFA
"The suspect was shot and has been in hospital ever since," Bianco said. The deputy on the other hand was rushed to Inland Valley Medical Research Center in a very serious condition. He underwent two emergency surgeries on his leg and torso. At around 7:55 pm, the department announced that he had died. The announcement of Calhoun's death was made on the official website.
The press release stated, "The Department is saddened to announce the death of Deputy Darnell Calhoun, most recently assigned to the Lake Elsinore Station. Deputy Calhoun was shot and killed in the line of duty on Friday, January 13, 2023. He was 30 years old."
It continued, "Darnell Calhoun began his service with our Department as a Deputy Sheriff on February 24, 2022, and was assigned to the Lake Elsinore Station. Deputy Calhoun spent two years working for the San Diego Police Department before being hired by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. Information on funeral services will be released as it becomes available. On behalf of the entire Department, we extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Deputy Darnell Calhoun."
Calhoun joined the Riverside County Sheriff's Department in February 2022 after he worked with the San Diego Police Department for two years. "He's a husband, a son. He would've been a dad," Bianco said. The suspect has been identified as Jesse Navarro,42, by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, per CBS News.
In another tragic incident, which took place 2 weeks ago on December 29, Isaiah Cordero another deputy, also from Riverside County sheriff, was killed at a traffic stop. Before these two incidents, the department had not seen a murder in the line of duty since 2003.
With heavy hearts, we announce the devastating death of Deputy Isaiah Cordero, who was killed in the line of duty this afternoon. Our Department would like thank the community and our allied agencies for the outpouring show of support during this tragedy. pic.twitter.com/69ijtQsf1f
— Riverside County Sheriff (@RSO) December 30, 2022
"Nationwide, we're confronting these situations with armed individuals, that, over what seemingly seem to be minor disagreements, are willing to engage law enforcement in life and death gun battles," the sheriff said.
The department mourns the loss of their beloved officers, "We will get through it. We will hold our heads high. And we will come right back to work to answer another call for service that could put our lives in jeopardy again."
Reference:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/30-year-deputy-shot-dead-leaves-pregnant-wife/story?id=96435479
https://www.riversidesheriff.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4129
Cover Image Source: Riverside County Sheriff
