Riverside County Deputy Darnell Calhoun (proper) poses with Sheriff Chad Biano in an undated photograph. Calhoun was shot and killed Friday, simply two weeks after one other deputy within the division was slain within the line of responsibility.

Riverside County Sheriff by way of AP

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Riverside County Sheriff by way of AP

Riverside County Deputy Darnell Calhoun (proper) poses with Sheriff Chad Biano in an undated photograph. Calhoun was shot and killed Friday, simply two weeks after one other deputy within the division was slain within the line of responsibility.

Riverside County Sheriff by way of AP

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. — A Southern California sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed Friday, simply two weeks after one other deputy within the division was slain within the line of responsibility.

The deaths of deputies Darnell Calhoun on Friday and Isaiah Cordero on Dec. 29 have been the primary since 2003 the place a Riverside County sheriff’s deputy was killed within the line of responsibility, Sheriff Chad Bianco stated.

The suspect in Calhoun’s demise is in custody and was listed in vital situation after a gunbattle with a second deputy, Bianco stated Friday throughout a information convention.

Calhoun was fatally shot within the metropolis of Lake Elsinore, the sheriff stated. He died after being taken to the hospital in severe situation.

“I shouldn’t be here tonight having to do this again,” Bianco stated Friday exterior the hospital. “I’m devastated to tell of the loss of another of our deputy sheriffs who was killed in the line of duty today.”

Calhoun is survived by his pregnant spouse, Bianco stated. He had beforehand labored for the San Diego Police Department — the company said on Twitter it was “devastated” to be taught of his demise — earlier than transferring to Riverside final yr.

“He was the most cheerful, the most positive, the most good, wholesome man you could imagine,” Bianco stated.

Calhoun, 30, was the primary deputy to reach on the scene of an disturbance round 4:30 p.m. Friday following a name of “unknown trouble” the place voices could possibly be heard within the background, indicating a wrestle, Bianco stated.

“At this point, we are not completely sure of the circumstances surrounding the initial contact,” Bianco stated.

The second deputy discovered Calhoun wounded on the street and confronted the suspect in a shootout. The suspect’s id has not been launched.

Lake Elsinore is about 55 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Friday’s capturing comes because the sheriff’s division is reeling from Cordero’s demise. The 32-year-old was fatally shot final month throughout a visitors cease within the metropolis of Jurupa Valley, east of Los Angeles.

Cordero had pulled over a pickup truck and the motive force, 44-year-old William Shae McKay, shot the deputy as he approached the automobile. Law enforcement pursued McKay in a manhunt that included a chase alongside freeways in two counties, authorities stated.

McKay was killed throughout a shootout with deputies after the truck crashed.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Cordero’s household have referred to as for the resignation of a Southern California choose who allowed McKay’s launch from custody on bail regardless of his prolonged legal historical past.

The sheriff stated McKay was convicted of a “third strike” offense in 2021 that ought to have put him in state jail for 25 years to life, however the choose lowered his bail, permitting his launch, and later launched him following an arrest for failing to look at his sentencing.