Sergeant Richard Earl Deffner
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department
California
End of Watch: Thursday, January 21, 1988

Biographical Info
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, January 21, 1988
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Sergeant Richard Deffner was shot and killed while conducing a search for an armed robbery suspect.

Sergeant Deffner was commanding a Special Operations team looking for the suspect who had recently robbed several businesses at gunpoint. After a chase, the suspect fled from the officers as he fired at them. He was later located and another gunfight ensued.

A controlled search area was created and the Special Operations team began searching for him. Thinking that the suspect may have gone up to a roof, which would give him a vantage point to fire at officers, Sergeant Deffner climbed onto a roof to check it. After hearing noises, he peered over the side and was shot in the face by the suspect who was on the ground. Other officers returned fire, killing the suspect.

Sergeant Deffner was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor for his heroic actions. He is survived by his wife, son, stepson, and parents.