RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The family of a Riverside County sheriff’s deputy
gunned down while responding to a domestic disturbance says that the
community’s condolences and expressions of support in the wake of the tragedy
“have uplifted us.”
“Our family has received an outpouring of love and support from our
community for which we are immensely grateful,” according to a statement
released Monday night by Deputy Darnell Calhoun’s loved ones. “While we are
heartbroken, we also celebrate the gift of Darnell — the husband, father, son,
brother and deputy. His life, though cut short, is a blessing. Our faith in
Jesus will carry us through this, and we know we will be reunited with Darnell
once again.”
Calhoun, 30, was allegedly gunned down Friday by 42-year-old Jesse
Navarro of Lake Elsinore.
The deputy, who left behind a pregnant wife and two young sons, died
after he was rushed to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar, where the
suspect was also taken and remains in critical condition after he was shot by a
deputy backing up Calhoun.
“His life, his commitment and dedication to his family and his
community will remain an inspiration,” according to the family statement. “He
was genuine, kind, loyal and had the heart of a servant. We take great comfort
in knowing that Darnell led a life well-lived. We are grateful to our
community, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, and law enforcement agencies
around the country that have uplifted us.”
A “Help A Hero” fundraiser was immediately established for the slain
lawman. As of Tuesday morning, $188,173 in donations had been made on
behalf of Calhoun’s family. The fundraiser link is at
https://helpahero.com/campaign/deputy-darnell-calhoun.
Sheriff’s administrators in Riverside have yet to announce when
funeral services will go forward.
Sheriff Chad Bianco said Calhoun was fatally shot about 4:20 p.m.
Friday in the 18000 block of Hilldale Lane, near Grand Avenue, when he
approached a residence from which a 911 call had been placed indicating there
was a domestic disturbance.
Bianco said Calhoun was hit when Navarro allegedly opened fire from
the residence.
“The second deputy on the scene found Deputy Calhoun wounded in the
street,” Bianco said Friday. “A gunfight ensued with the suspect, who was
shot. The suspect was treated at the scene and transported to the hospital.”
Background information on Navarro was unavailable.
A candlelight vigil for the fallen lawman — the second Riverside
County sheriff’s deputy killed in a confrontation in less than three weeks —
is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the sheriff’s Lake Elsinore station, 333 W.
Limited Ave.
Calhoun was assigned there after he laterally transferred from the San
Diego Police Department nearly one year ago.
“He was a husband, a father of two young boys — ages 2 and 4 — and
a third baby boy on the way,” according to the Riverside County Deputy Sheriff
Relief Foundation, which initiated the online fundraiser. “He will be
remembered as a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin, a son-in-law, a
brother-in-law and a loyal friend.”
Lake Elsinore Mayor Natasha Johnson praised Calhoun for making “the
ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting our community.”
The Riverside Sheriffs’ Association described Calhoun’s death as the
loss of “another hero way too early in life.”
“Our heart aches for the family, friends and fellow deputies of
Darnell Calhoun, and we ask everyone to take a moment to remember his selfless
service,” said the RSA, which represents the nearly 4,000 line deputies
countywide.
The San Diego Police Department posted a message Friday night saying
personnel were “devastated to learn of the passing of Deputy Darnell Calhoun,
an SDPD officer until 2022.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues
in SDPD and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.”
Bianco recalled Friday the occasion in February 2022 when Calhoun was
sworn in.
“I hugged his mother and told her I would take care of him,” the
sheriff said. “We are sadly in a time when some people have no respect for
other people and no respect for law enforcement. Those people are willing to
engage in gunfights with law enforcement over minor things.”
Exactly one week prior to Calhoun’s slaying, Deputy Isaiah Albert
Cordero was laid to rest.
The 32-year-old motorcycle deputy was shot to death on the afternoon
of Dec. 29 by a convicted felon during a traffic stop in Jurupa Valley. The man
was killed two hours later during a gun battle with deputies attempting to
arrest him after a lengthy pursuit that ended on southbound Interstate 15 in
Norco.
Cordero’s had been the first deputy line-of-duty death in Riverside
County in 15 years.
The backup deputy who shot Navarro was not identified and has been
placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation by
the District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the sheriff’s Force
Investigations Detail.
Copyright 2023, City News Service, Inc.
