Flags at the state Capitol are flying at half-staff Thursday in honor of Mendocino County Sheriff's Deputy Ricky Del Fiorentino, who was shot to death Wednesday at the end of a manhunt for a carjacking suspect.
The 48-year-old deputy had worked with the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office for 16 years and the Fort Bragg Police Department for 10 years. He is being remembered as a brave deputy and respected member of the Fort Bragg community.
Ricardo Antonio Chaney, 32, of Oregon, who officials say killed Del Fiorentino, was shot to death soon after by a Ft. Bragg Police lieutenant. Chaney was wanted in connection with a carjacking earlier that day in Eugene, Ore.
Gov. Jerry Brown called Del Fiorentino's death "tragic" in a statement released Thursday. "Deputy Del Fiorentino was killed upholding the oath he swore: To protect his community," he said.
Brown's statements were among a flood of condolences made Thursday by law enforcement officers and other officials around the state.
California lawmakers also honored Del Fiorentino by opening Assembly and Senate sessions with a moment of silence.
"Deputy Del Fiorentino was killed protecting his community and I know the entire North Coast community is saddened by this tragedy and mourns with his family today," said Assemblymember Wes Chesbro, who represents the North Coast.
State Attorney General Kamala Harris also sent her condolences to Del Fiorentino's colleagues and family "on behalf of the California Department of Justice."
"His tragic death is a stark reminder of the danger our brave men and women in law enforcement face every day to keep your communities safe," she said.
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