"He confronted a threat not knowing what it was, and in a split second, he lost his life, and that's what it is in law enforcement," said Sheriff Alex Villanueva at a news conference Wednesday, at times on the verge of tears. "On a good day, we can do heroic things, and save lives, and avoid death. And other times something as innocent as going to a fast-food restaurant can be end of the watch for our hero, Deputy Solano."
Solano — who left behind a son and a longtime girlfriend and was the sole provider for his mother — was described by family members as a caring soul who was getting an oil change for his mother's car when he stopped at the Jack in the Box.
Villanueva said the deputy was alerted in the restaurant that someone was following him, prompting Solano to confront the gunman just before the shot was fired.