Riverside County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch: Friday, October 8, 1999
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 8, 1999
Weapon Used: Rifle; Semi-automatic
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Deputy Eric Thach was shot and killed after being ambushed at a home-invasion robbery at the 9100 Block of Kennedy Street in Pedley at 130 pm.
He had responded to the call when neighbors noticed a strange man at the house. While at the scene, Deputy Thach was shot with an assault rifle, and the shot penetrated his protective vest. At the time he was shot, Deputy Thach had not even seen the suspect.
He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead about two hours later.
The suspect then left the scene and started several brush fires in the area in an attempt to escape. Other responding deputies shot and killed the suspect near the fires.
Deputy Thach had served with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for three years. He is survived by his wife and daughter.