Sacramento Co. Sheriff’s Deputy Fatally Shot

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA — Three people have been detained after a Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputy was fatally shot while he was posted on a perimeter position near a Sacramento County motel this morning, Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones said. Two California Highway Patrol officers were also injured and have been hospitalized. They are in stable condition and are expected to recover.

Jones said French, a 21-year-veteran, was shot in the side and died while on the way to the hospital. Officials said French, 52, was assigned to the North Patrol Division. He is survived by his live-in girlfriend, three adult children, grandchildren, and a sister.

According to a Sacramento County Sheriff's Department statement released Wednesday evening, the incident began at about 9:30 a.m. as members of the Sacramento County Auto Theft Task Force were conducting an investigation near the Ramada Inn Sacramento located at 2600 Auburn Boulevard. The task force, which is composed of investigators from the California Highway Patrol, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department and the Sacramento County Probation Department, spotted a stolen vehicle in the hotel's parking lot and saw two women get in the car.

As the officers attempted a stop of the vehicle, a pursuit began. The chase was terminated in Elk Grove, where both female suspects were taken into custody. Upon discovering one of the women was on probation with search terms, investigators returned to Ramada Inn to search the room she was registered in.

As task force members knocked on the door of the room and announced they were law enforcement, a suspect inside the room "fired multiple shots through the front door and walls of the room," striking two CHP investigators, sheriff's officials said.

Sacramento sheriff’s deputies who were positioned on the back side of the room then saw a male suspect holding a high-power assault rifle attempt to exit through the back balcony. Officials said the suspect engaged the deputies in gunfire, striking one deputy -- French.

The armed suspect then fled from the balcony and got into a nearby car, allegedly leading officers on a pursuit south on Fulton Avenue, then east on El Camino Avenue before he crashed the vehicle just west of Watt Avenue. According to sheriff's officials, the suspect then engaged the pursuing officers and was struck by gunfire. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital, where as of Wednesday evening he was in critical condition, officials said.

Fulton Avenue was closed between Interstate 80 and Auburn Boulevard following the shooting.

Residents, officials and law enforcement agencies took to social media to mourn as news of French's death spread throughout the community.

The Sacramento County Deputy Sheriffs' Association has established a memorial fund; checks made out to the "Robert French Memorial Fund" may be sent to: CAHP Credit Union, 2843 Manlove Road, Sacramento, CA, 95826.

Sheriff's officials say the investigation into the incident will be conducted by the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau and Professional Standards Division, with an independent review of the officer-involved shooting to be conducted by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office and the Inspector General. Per department policy, the six other deputies involved in the shooting will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation, officials said.

Photo via Sacramento County Sheriff's Department