K9 Riley
End of Watch January 18th, 2021
At 10:07 p.m. on January 18, 2021, Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies observed a vehicle in a parking lot that matched the description of a vehicle involved in a theft series. Deputies initiated contact with the single occupant of the vehicle who became uncooperative and fled in his vehicle; pursuit ensued. The pursuit entered the Cal Expo Complex and the suspect’s vehicle became disabled after driving over a concrete parking block and hitting a fence.
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Deputies gave several commands for the suspect to exit the vehicle but he refused. K-9 Riley was deployed into the vehicle and engaged the suspect. The suspect fired a handgun, striking K-9 Riley and two deputies as they began to take him into custody. Deputies returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect.
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Deputy Adam Gibson was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The second deputy was stabilized and transported to a trauma center for further treatment. Sheriff’s K-9 Riley was pronounced deceased at the scene.
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K9 Riley had served with the Sacramento County Sheriff Office's Canine detail for three years.