On January 18, 2021, photographer Rich Carranza shared some devastating news on Facebook. A K9 officer named Riley that he had worked with during a calendar shoot had been killed in the line of duty.

Two deputies from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office were shot as well, and only one survived.

Now, those who knew Deputy Adam Gibson and K9 Deputy Riley are trying to make sense of the shocking and unnecessary loss of life.

A suspect forces a chase

It began just after 10 pm when officers saw a vehicle matching the description of one involved in a series of burglaries and questioned the driver.

According to the department’s press release: “The subject became uncooperative and fled in his vehicle when deputies attempted to search the vehicle. A short pursuit ensued that terminated inside of the Cal Expo Complex located at 1600 Exposition Boulevard.”

#Breaking Sacramento Sheriff Scott Jones announced 6-year Sheriff Deputy killed in the line of duty in shooting with suspect at Cal Expo. Second deputy also shot is in stable condition. Suspect was killed in shooting. A Sheriff K-9 also shot and killed. pic.twitter.com/DxF1JrOTfm

— stevelarge (@largesteven) January 19, 2021

After the vehicle couldn’t go any further and the suspect was trapped, patrol units gathered to assist the deputies in apprehending the suspect.

They fired a series of non-lethal bean bag rounds into the back window so they could see what was inside. The suspect refused to exit the vehicle, so deputies approached and deployed the K9, Riley.

Unfortunately, that’s when the suspect fired multiple shots, hitting two deputies and the Belgian Malinois, Riley.

Officers returned fire, killing the suspect, but not before the damage was done to 31-year-old Adam Gibson, who was pronounced dead at the hospital, and Riley, who died at the scene.

The deputy wounded at the scene is a 13-year veteran of the force and remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition.

Honoring fallen officers

Just 31 years old, Deputy Adam Gibson was a 6-year veteran of the department. He leaves behind a wife, Rachel, and a 9-month old child, making the senseless act even more devastating.

Gibson served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement in 2014, completing two tours in Afghanistan.

He had received the Sheriff’s Office Bronze Star for Bravery and a Major Incident Ribbon in 2018 for his work.

K-9 Riley was just 5 years old at the time of his death. After rigorous training, the dog served as a K9 deputy for the last 3 years.

According to Yahoo News: “Several law enforcement vehicles drove down Sunset Avenue in Fair Oaks Tuesday to pay their respects to the fallen K9 officer.”

A great loss

Jenny Calderon confirmed that the suspect who was killed was her son Robert Calderon, who was out on parole. While she believed he may have been mentally ill and feared large dogs, she did express surprise that he still had a gun after she asked him to get rid of one not long ago.

She told CBS13 she is heartbroken over the loss of Deputy Gibson.

“I think the deputy lost more because he has a family,” she said. “Think of his wife. They’re going to have to raise children without a dad.”

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Source: Facebook – Rich Carranza Photography, KCRA TV, CBS 13 News, Yahoo News