Riverside County sheriff’s deputy Darnell Calhoun fatal shot

Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy Darnell Calhoun, right, with Sheriff Chad Bianco.  Calhoun died Friday after a shooting in the Lake Elsinore area.  The suspect in the shooting was in custody.
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom issues condolences; flags to be flown at half-staff at the Capitol
  • The other deputy leaves behind 2 young sons, a pregnant wife, extended family.

Members of the public, law enforcement officers and elected officials paid tribute Saturday to Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Darnell Calhoun, who was fatally shot near Lake Elsinore on Friday just two weeks after another deputy in the department was killed in the line of duty.

The deaths of the two officers are the first in nearly 20 years for the department. Sheriff Chad Bianco, speaking Friday night at a news conference shortly after Calhoun’s death was confirmed, said his department is working “in a time where there is a growing population that has absolutely zero respect for other people.”

“Nationwide, we are confronting these situations with armed individuals that, over what seem to be minor disagreements, are willing to engage law enforcement in life-and-death gun battles all too frequently,” Bianco said.