PALMDALE, California – A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot while in his patrol vehicle in what authorities described as an ambush in Palmdale.

Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, a 30-year-old field training officer, was shot Saturday just outside the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station at the corner of Sierra Highway and Avenue Q according to ABC7.

Sheriff Robert Luna said a good Samaritan found the deputy unconscious inside the vehicle around 6 p.m.

Clinkunbroomer was quickly rushed to the Antelope Valley Medical Center in Lancaster where he later died.

Luna said Clinkunbroomer’s death is being investigated as a murder and is seeking the public’s help.

“We really need your help,” said Luna. “We need to get this guy off the street, guy or guys. He’s a public safety threat. He ambushed and killed, murdered, one of our deputies. We need your help to get him off the street.”

Clinkunbroomer was an eight-year veteran of the department and had been with the Palmdale station since July 2018. He had been working as a field training officer for the past year and a half.

Describing Clinkunbroomer as “the best of the best,” Luna said that his grandfather and father both had worked for the sheriff’s department.

“Service was running through his veins … so unfair,” said Luna. “He embodied the values of bravery, selflessness and an absolute commitment to justice.”

Clinkunbroomer had just celebrated his engagement a few days before he was killed.

The suspect has not yet been captured.

Source: www.lawofficer.com