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.
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.
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.
K9 Riley had served with the Sacramento County Sheriff Office's Canine detail for three years.