Darnell Calhoun: Riverside County deputy dies after shooting in Lake Elsinore

Darnell Calhoun: Procession underway for Riverside Co. deputy killed in Lake Elsinore

A procession is underway for Darnell Calhoun, the deputy shot and killed in line of duty in Lake Elsinore.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. - A deputy in Riverside County is dead after being shot Friday.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office responded to a call in the 18500 block of Hilldale Lane in Lake Elsinore. The deputy, later identified as 30-year-old Darnell Calhoun, was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to Sheriff Chad Bianco, deputies responded to a child custody call around 4:20 p.m. Some short of altercation occurred, leading to Calhoun being shot. A second deputy arrived on scene and found Calhoun wounded on the street, Bianco stated. A shootout between that deputy and the suspect ensued. The suspect was struck and taken to the hospital in critical condition where they were also placed into custody. They have since been identified as 42-year-old Jesse Navarro.

Suspect identified in fatal shooting of Riverside County Sheriff's deputy

Riverside County Sheriff's deputy Darnell Calhoun was shot and killed responding to a call in Lake Elsinore Friday. Officials have identified Jesse Navarro as the suspect in the shooting. Navarro is in custody at the hospital.

Bianco said Calhoun joined the department in February 2022 after serving with the San Diego Police Department for two years. Calhoun was a husband, a son and was going to be a father.

"There is not one person with one negative to say about him," Bianco said of Calhoun. "He was the most good, wholesome man you could ever imagine."

"I hugged his mother and promised I would take care of him," the sheriff emotionally said.

Sheriff: Darnell Calhoun was the most good, wholesome man you could ever imagine

Sheriff Chad Bianco said slain Riverside County deputy Darnell Calhoun was "the most good, wholesome man you could ever imagine."

After the news of Calhoun's death, law-enforcement departments across Southern California offered their condolences:

Los Angeles Police Department

Orange County Sheriff's Office

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office

San Diego Police Department (Calhoun's former department)

Ventura County Sheriff's Office

California Attorney General Bonta issued the following statement, "Deputy Darnell Calhoun represented the best of the California spirit — protecting and serving the public with valor. On behalf of the nearly 6,000 men and women of the California Department of Justice, I extend our deepest condolences to Deputy Calhoun’s family, colleagues, and the entire Riverside community. His service and sacrifice will not be forgotten."

Late Friday night, a procession was held to honor the deputy killed in the line of duty.

Darnell Calhoun: Procession underway for Riverside Co. deputy killed in Lake Elsinore

A procession is underway for Darnell Calhoun, the deputy shot and killed in line of duty in Lake Elsinore.

This violent incident comes just weeks after another Riverside County deputy was shot and killed by a suspect in Jurupa Valley. On the afternoon of Dec. 29, Deputy Isaiah Cordero was killed while attempting to conduct a traffic stop. The suspect who fired the shot, 44-year-old William Shae McKay, was later killed following a pursuit.