Community Rallies For Decorated Marine Killed Taking In Fugitive

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Days after a Marine veteran and current private investigator was killed at a Moreno Valley motel as he was attempting to take a wanted fugitive into custody, a GoFundMe account has been started to help raise money to cover funeral expenses for the Lake Elsinore father of five.

James Black, 42, was killed on Tuesday when he was trying to apprehend Chad James Green, 41, at a hotel in the 24000 block of Sunnymead Boulevard, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

About 7 p.m. Tuesday, Black, a supervising agent with Lake Elsinore-based U.S. Fugitive Recovery Service International, located Green at the unnamed motel, with the intent of taking him into custody for an outstanding felony warrant. Green has been described as a career criminal.

During the encounter, Green allegedly shot the father of five to death, according to Riverside County sheriff's officials.

Dan Escamilla with U.S. Fugitive Recovery said Green jumped from a third-story window to make his escape.

Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Rick Espinoza said deputies converged on the motel minutes later and found Black critically wounded. The victim was taken to nearby Riverside University Medical Center, where he died a short time later.

Within hours, detectives identified Green as the alleged perpetrator, and a warrant was issued for his arrest, with a warning that he should be considered "armed and dangerous," Espinoza said.

On Thursday, it's believed Green was spotted in San Bernardino and was killed when he refused to surrender, according to police.

According to the GoFundMe set up in Black's honor, here is a bit of his life story:

Mr. Black started his military service as an enlisted service member in the U.S.Marine Corps progressing to the rank of 1st Lieutenant before being honorably discharged. Mr. Black participated in multiple tours in Iraq, including one as a Intelligence Operations Officer. Mr. Black returned to the Middle East as a contractor in Afghanistan.

Mr. Black returned to Southern California where he began working as a fugitive recovery agent and a licensed private investigator, leading one of the largest independent bail recovery teams in the state of California, The US Fugitive Service.

Mr. Black leaves behind a wife and 5 children, aged 2 to 22. His oldest son Austin Black followed in his father's footsteps and joined the United States Marine Corps.

As of Friday afternoon, more than $11,000 had been donated in Black's name. Click here if you'd like to donate.

— GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner / City News Service contributed to this report.