San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit paid tribute to Riverside County Deputy Sheriff Darnell Calhoun, who was killed Saturday at a memorial service in Rancho Cucamonga.
Calhoun, who worked with the San Diego Police Department before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, was shot Jan. 13 while responding to a domestic disturbance.
“Although Darnell’s time with the San Diego Police Department was short, it was actually enormous,” Nisleit told the gathering. “He made us a better city, he made us a better department, he made us better officers every day by watching his leadership on how he treated people, how he treated members of our department.
“I want to thank the entire Calhoun family for sharing Darnell with us for those two and a half years because his service to the City of San Diego and the San Diego Police Department was phenomenal.
“My deepest condolences on your loss. Let’s add 2,000 more aunts and uncles from the San Diego Police Department who will always be here for you,” Nisleit said.
The memorial was followed by private burial services.
The public showed their support before Saturday’s funeral by walking the 50-mile procession route from the Murrieta Valley Funeral Home at 24651 Washington Ave. to a Rancho Cucamonga church. RCSD and San Diego Police Department personnel led the procession.
Calhoun was allegedly shot to death on January 13 by Jesse Navarro, 42, of Lake Elsinore. The suspect was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar and remains in critical condition after he was shot by an officer supporting Calhoun.
–-City news service
