The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has identified the three deputies killed Friday (July 18, 2025) in an explosion at a sheriff’s facility in East Los Angeles.
In a press release posted on Facebook over the weekend LASD said Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Detective Victor Lemus, and Detective William Osborn who were all assigned to Special Enforcement Bureau’s Arson Explosives Detail were killed in the incident.
LASD
Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 2006. After working in corrections, he transferred to Lennox Sheriff Station in 2010 and later became a field training officer at South Los Angeles Station. He was promoted to the rank of detective at the Narcotics Bureau in 2016 where he was assigned to the LA Impact Team investigating complex crimes, seizing large quantities of narcotics, and assisting in the arrests of murder suspects. In 2022 he became an Arson and Explosive Investigator with the Special Enforcement Bureau and received his bomb tech certifications as well as other training accolades.
Detective Kelley-Eklund is survived by his wife and seven children.
LASD
Detective Victor Lemus joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 2003 as a security assistant. He completed the Deputy Sheriff Academy in 2003 before and was assigned to Twin Towers Correctional Facility. After serving in corrections he transferred to Century Station, where he worked as a senior training officer and detective. He transferred to the Special Enforcement Bureau in 2017 where he was assigned as a K-9 Handler prior to becoming an Arson and Explosive Investigator in 2024. He received commendations for his ability to mentor and train fellow deputies as well as notable arrests involving career criminals.
Detective Lemus is survived by his wife, Sheriff’s Department Detective Nancy Lemus and three daughters.
LASD
Detective William Osborn graduated from the Deputy Sheriff Academy in 1992 before being assigned to Men’s Central Jail. He then transferred to Pico Rivera Station in 1998 as a patrol deputy. He transferred to Industry Station in 2001 and was promoted to detective. After working as a detective for over a decade, handling over a hundred cases each year, Osborn transferred to the Training Bureau as an Emergency Vehicle Operations Center instructor in 2016. Detective Osborn joined the Special Enforcement Bureau as an Arson and Explosive Investigator in 2019.
Detective Osborn is survived by his wife, Detective Shannon Rincon, four sons, and two daughters.
“There are no words to express the pain and sorrow we feel,” said Sheriff Robert Luna. “These heroes represented the best of our Department, exemplifying courage, integrity, and selfless service. This is not only a heartbreaking loss for their families, but for all of us.”
The incident is under investigation by LASD, the FBI, and ATF.
The cause of the explosion has not been released.
