10 Law Enforcement Officers Killed In 2023 Remembered This Week In CA

CALIFORNIA — President Joe Biden has declared Wednesday, May 15, Peace Officers Memorial Day, and May 12 - 18, National Police Week. All flags will fly at half-staff Wednesday in memory of the 136 law enforcement officers who died nationwide in the line of duty in 2023.

In California, 10 law enforcement officers were lost last year, a figure that includes three K-9s. Here, we remember them all (in alphabetical order):

Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy Darnell Calhoun. End of watch Jan. 13, 2023.

Deputy Darnell Calhoun was ambushed by a domestic violence suspect while responding to a call for help in Lakeland Village. The 30-year-old deputy was married with three young sons. He began his career with the Riverside County Sheriff's Office on February 24, 2022, and was assigned to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station. Prior, he spent two years serving with the San Diego Police Department.

Police Officer Gonzalo Carrasco, Jr. End of watch Jan. 31, 2023.

Officer Gonzalo Carrasco Jr. was shot to death after a homeowner flagged him down to report a suspicious person on her property. The suspicious man opened fire on the 24-year-old law enforcement officer, killing him just one month before the birth of his baby boy, Maximus. Carrasco's slaying was the first line-of-duty death in the history of the Selma Police Department.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer. End of watch Sept. 16, 2023.

Ryan Clinkunbroomer, a 30-year-old, third-generation deputy was gunned down in his patrol vehicle near the Palmdale Sheriff's Station. At the time of his slaying, he was recently engaged to be married. Hundreds turned out for his funeral service in Los Angeles.

San Joaquin County Sheriff's K-9 Duke. End of watch Feb. 19, 2023.

K-9 Duke was stabbed to death while apprehending a burglary suspect in a Tracy railyard. K-9 Duke had served with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office for six years.

Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy Brett Harris. End of watch May 13, 2023.

Deputy Brett Harris, 27, of Temecula died from injuries after crashing in his patrol vehicle during a call for service. Harris was transported to a local hospital where he was kept on life support until his organs were donated. Harris was assigned to the Hemet Sheriff's Station. He is survived by his wife, parents, twin sister and brother.

Oakland Police Officer Tuan Q. Le. End of watch Dec. 29, 2023.

Officer Tuan Q. Le, 36, was shot and killed while responding to a burglary call at a cannabis store. Le had served with the Oakland Police Department for four years. He was born in Vietnam before moving to Oakland and becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen on Sept. 11, 2001. He is survived by his wife and mother.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Alejandro Martinez. End of watch July 28, 2023.

Deputy Sheriff Alejandro Martinez, 27, died from injuries eight months after he and other recruits from Academy Class 464 ran in formation in Whittier and were struck by a wrong-way driver. A total of 25 recruits were hit. Twelve of them suffered critical injuries that ended their careers. Deputy Martinez was sworn in as a sheriff's deputy two weeks after the Nov. 16, 2022, incident. He remained hospitalized in critical condition until his death on July 28, 2023. Martinez was a U.S. Army National Guard soldier. He is survived by his father and sister.

Riverside County Sheriff's K-9 Rudy. End of watch April 14, 2023.

K-9 Rudy was shot and killed by a wanted felon who was hiding out in an unincorporated area near Perris. The Belgian Malinois had won a first-place award at the Las Vegas Metro Police K-9 Trials a month before his death.

San Diego Police K-9 Sir. End of watch Aug. 2, 2023.

San Diego Police K-9 Sir, 4, was shot and killed by a suspect on the Mesa College campus in Clairemont. The Belgian Malinois had served with the San Diego Police Department for 18 months.

Manhattan Beach Police Officer Chad Swanson. End of watch Oct. 4, 2023.

Officer Chad Swanson, 35, was fatally injured in a multi-vehicle crash while riding his departmental motorcycle on the 405 freeway in Del Amo. Swanson had served with the Manhattan Beach Police Department for 13 years and previously served with the Hawthorne Police Department. He is survived by his wife, three sons and parents.