Deputy Sheriff Michael Paul Haugen

Michael Paul Haugen

Deputies Michael Haugen and James Lehmann were shot and killed at approximately 3:00 am as they answered a domestic violence call near Sagebrush Avenue and Chaparral Road in Whitewater.

They were ambushed by a sniper who shot them with an M-1 rifle as they exited their vehicles. Both deputies were wearing vests. One deputy was shot in the head, and the other was shot in the side when the bullet penetrated his vest. Neither deputy was able to radio in the incident. A sergeant who responded to the scene after they failed to make radio contact was also shot at as he attempted to check on the deputies when he saw them lying on the ground.

The suspect was apprehended later in the morning during a SWAT operation. The man was convicted of both murders and sentenced to death; however, he committed suicide while on death row on October 9, 2013.

Deputy Haugen served with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for five years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.