A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was gunned down Saturday in an ambush attack, the sheriff said.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, 30, was fatally shot in the head while sitting in his patrol car near the Palmdale station around 6 p.m.
“Somebody decided to shoot and murder him, I’m assuming, at this point, because he was in uniform,” Sheriff Robert Luna said Saturday night at a news conference.
Surveillance video shared with the Los Angeles Times showed a black car briefly pull up behind the deputy’s cruiser and then up to the driver’s side and pause. The car races off soon after, while the cruiser drifts forward and stops.
Police haven’t named any suspects or persons of interest.
“We really need your help,” Sheriff Luna said. “We need to get this guy off the street, guy or guys. He’s a public safety threat. He ambushed and killed — murdered — one of our deputies.”
Deputy Clinkunbroomer was an eight-year veteran with the sheriff’s department and was working as a field training officer, a position Sheriff Luna said is reserved for the “best of the best.”
Deputy Clinkunbroomer was also a third-generation member of the department — his father and grandfather both worked for the county sheriff.
Sheriff Luna said the slain deputy was recently engaged to be married.
A procession to honor Deputy Clinkunbroomer was held Saturday night and concluded at the coroner’s office in Boyle Heights.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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