Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch Saturday, August 2, 2008
Add to My HeroesJuan Abel Escalante
Deputy Sheriff Juan Escalante was shot and killed when he was confronted by two armed gang members in front of his home as he prepared to leave for work.
Deputy Escalante drew his weapon and identified himself as a deputy before being fatally shot.
The subject who shot Deputy Escalante knew that he worked as a deputy at the Central Jail and shot him in retribution for a shooting six months earlier in which the suspect's cousin was shot by an LAPD police officer. Deputy Escalante was not involved in the previous shooting.
When the gang member spotted Deputy Escalante, in the 900 block of Aragon Avenue in Los Angeles, he told the man driving to stop the car and two of the gang members got out to confront him. The men opened fire when Deputy Escalante identified himself. Four subjects, including the gang member who shot Deputy Escalante and the man who provided the firearm, were arrested and charged in connection with his murder.
On September 14th, 2010, the driver of the car pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. In October 2012 the subject who shot Deputy Escalante pleaded guilty to murder and other charges and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. A fifth suspect was arrested in Mexico in December 2012. A sixth suspect has been identified, but is still at large and wanted by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Deputy Escalante was a member of the U.S. Army Reserves and had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 2-1/2 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Bio
- Age 27
- Tour 2 years, 6 months
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .40 caliber
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 61 ReflectionsRest in Peace Deputy Escalante. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with the Escalante Family and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office.
Cpl. Gary Hughes (Retired)
Passaic County Sheriff's Office New Jersey
November 12, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Sergeant Cory Maynard
West Virginia State Police, WV
EOW: June 2, 2023

Corporal Shawn Kelly
Denham Springs Police Department, LA
EOW: June 2, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Marcus Zeigler
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 26, 2023

Police Officer Horren Randy Tyler
Madison Police Department, MS
EOW: June 1, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Caleb Conley
Scott County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 22, 2023

Sergeant Michael Kunovich
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: May 19, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Brett Harris
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: May 13, 2023

Sergeant Joshua Lee Clouse
Cameron Police Department, TX
EOW: May 11, 2023

Port Police Officer Kimberly Sickafoose
Alabama Port Authority Police, AL
EOW: May 11, 2023