Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch Thursday, January 21, 1988
Add to My HeroesRichard Earl Deffner
Sergeant Richard Deffner was shot and killed while conducting a search for an armed robbery suspect at 10333 White Rock Road.
He 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, hiding in an area used as a dog run.
The subject then fled into a nearby apartment where he briefly held two women and an infant hostage. The man was fatally shot by officers when he came out of the apartment and opened fire.
Sergeant Deffner was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions. He is survived by his wife, son, stepson, and parents.
Bio
- Age 36
- Tour Not available
- Badge S-123
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 25 ReflectionsSgt. Deffner,
On today, the 32nd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Sacramento County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
January 21, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Brent Nelson Hall
Newton Grove Police Department, NC
EOW: April 3, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Christopher Wilson Knight
Bibb County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: April 6, 2021

Chief of Police Fred Alan Posavetz
Clinton Township Police Department, MI
EOW: March 22, 2021

Corrections Officer Luis Arturo Hernandez, Sr.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: March 31, 2021

Lieutenant James Kouski
Hometown Police Department, IL
EOW: April 3, 2021

Police Officer William Evans
United States Capitol Police, US
EOW: April 2, 2021

Sergeant Shane Owens
Broward County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: March 27, 2021

Sergeant LaShonda Owens
Northampton County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: March 18, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Donald Raymond Gilreath, III
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: February 12, 2021