Riverside County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch Friday, May 9, 1980
Add to My HeroesJames B. Evans
Deputy Sheriff James Evans was shot and killed when he was ambushed by bank robbers during a pursuit.
Several deputies had responded to a bank robbery call of several heavily armed men robbing a bank in Norco, California. A gunfight ensued in the parking lot in which one suspect was shot and killed, and several others fled the scene in a stolen car. The pursuit entered the Lytle Creek area of the San Bernardino mountains.
The suspects suddenly stopped the car near the Stockton Flat Campground in the San Bernardino National Forest, and as Deputy Evans rounded a corner, they opened fire with M-16 rifles, killing him. The suspects then fled on foot. During the search for them, one was shot and killed, and three others were taken into custody.
Deputy Evans was a United States Army Vietnam Veteran and had served with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, son, and three stepchildren.
Bio
- Age 39
- Tour 5 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Rifle; M-16
- Offender Two shot and killed, three in custody
Most Recent Reflection
View all 34 ReflectionsDeputy Sheriff Evans,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)
June 9, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths

Lieutenant Allen "Noochie" Credeur
Rayne Police Department, LA
EOW: May 5, 2025

Special Deputy Sheriff Larry Henderson, Jr.
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 2, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Brandon Ray Sikes
Columbia County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: April 26, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Jesse Perez
Dawson County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 22, 2025

Captain Helio Armando Garcia, III
South Fulton Police Department, GA
EOW: April 16, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard
Wood County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 9, 2025

Deputy Sheriff William May
Walton County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: April 2, 2025

Police Officer Osmar Rodarte
Marysville Police Department, CA
EOW: March 26, 2025

Sergeant Grant J. Candies
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: March 23, 2025