POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Outpouring of Support After California Officer Shot, Killed in Ambush

An officer with the Sacramento Police Department who was shot by a gunman at a domestic violence call on Wednesday night has died from her wounds, and agency leaders, elected officials, and individual citizens have all shown their deep condolences in online comments.

June 20, 2019
Outpouring of Support After California Officer Shot, Killed in Ambush

Officer Tara O'Sullivan was fatally shot in an ambush attack during a domestic call.

Credit:

Photo: Sacramento (CA) PD

An officer with the Sacramento Police Department who was shot by a gunman at a domestic violence call on Wednesday night has died from her wounds, and agency leaders, elected officials, and individual citizens have all shown their deep condolences.

According to USA Today , 26-year-old Tara O'Sullivan was among several officers at the scene, attempting to enable a woman to leave a residence with her belongings when the man—whose relationship with the woman was not immediately made clear—opened fire, striking O'Sullivan.

Ad Loading...

Related: Video: CA Officer Fatally Ambushed on Domestic Call, Suspect Surrenders After Standoff


Other officers who were attempting to get to O'Sullivan were prevented from doing so because the gunman kept shooting.

An armored vehicle was called to the scene to extract O'Sullivan. It reportedly took nearly an hour to get her to the hospital, where she subsequently succumbed to her injuries.

The gunman, meanwhile, continued to fire on officers at random for several hours.

A crisis negotiating team eventually made verbal contact with the man, but the standoff continued into the early hours of Thursday morning when the gunman finally surrendered and was arrested.

Five officers fired their weapons during the standoff, Sacramento police said.

"We are devastated tonight," Deputy Chief Dave Peletta said at a news conference. "There are no words to convey the depth of sadness we feel or how heartbroken we are for the family of our young, brave officer."

"She gave her young life while protecting our community," Peletta said.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said, "To the officers that are still out there, we as a community rally and pray for their safety, because they're still in harm's way."

Citizens and fellow officers from around the country also made statements of mourning on the agency's Facebook page, with nearly 4,500 comments posed in a mere matter of hours.

One individual said simply, "Prayers to the Sacramento PD family and loved ones of Officer O'Sullivan."

Another said, "Thank you Sac PD for keeping us safe. My deepest gratitude to Officer O’Sullivan and sympathies to her family."

Another said, "RIP Officer O’Sullivan. My deepest condolences to your family at home and Sacramento PD. Blessed be the peacekeepers for they shall be called the children of god."

"Our hearts break for the department and her family," said another individual.

Funeral arrangements for Officer O'Sullivan have not yet been established.

Ad Loading...

More Patrol

center circle image of PTSD Help Expanded surrounded by military and first responder images
PatrolNovember 11, 2025

Police-Led Mental Health Charity Expands to Include Veterans

Talk To Me Post Tour (TTMPT), a non-profit organization that has been providing peer-support programs and professional psychological support for first responders, is now expanding services to military veterans.

Read More →
police officer holding a folded flag and headline for Officer Killed
PatrolNovember 10, 2025

WakeMed Campus Police Officer Killed in Hospital Shooting

A WakeMed Campus Police Officer died after being shot in the lobby of the emergency department at a North Carolina hospital over the weekend.

Read More →
Black background with blue graphic outline of state of Florida and headline Video Released: barricaded Suspect Falls Through Ceiling and Into SWAT Custody.
PatrolNovember 10, 2025

Video Shows Barricaded Suspect Fall Through Ceiling and Into SWAT Custody

Deputies in Indian River County, Florida, apprehended a suspect after he fell through the ceiling with SWAT members waiting below. The sheriff’s department released video of the apprehension.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
thumbnail for video series POLICE From the Show Floor featuring T2 Systems.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 10, 2025

From the Show Floor: T2 Systems

Learn about T2 Systems and its electronic parking enforcement solutions. Retired Chief John Holland outlines the benefits of using such a system to manage parking enforcement.

Read More →
view of a mobile observation trailer deployed in a parking lot against a blue sky
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 10, 2025

Texas Pollice Department Adds Reconview Tower

A Texas police chief shares how the Decatur Police Department will use its new Reconview observation tower.

Read More →
Thumbnail for POLICE video From theShow Floor: Traka
Patrolby Wayne ParhamOctober 30, 2025

From the Show Floor: Traka

Join POLICE as we visit with Steve Atkinson of Traka and learn about the company’s asset management cabinets and key lockers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
image of conference stage top left, inset image of two men standing at right, and lower left logo for Team Wendy
PatrolOctober 29, 2025

Team Wendy Shares New DREW Data During Personal Armour Systems Symposium

Team Wendy shared data about DREW, a biofidelic helmet-test rig built to simulate real head-to-ground falls and capture both linear and rotational head motion, during the recent Personal Armour Systems Symposium in Belgium.

Read More →
Images for three athletes - discus, weightlifting, baseball, and inset image of San Diego highway sign and logo for 2026 US Police and Fire Championships.
PatrolOctober 28, 2025

2026 US Police and Fire Championships to Unite First Responders in San Diego for 59th Annual Event

The 2026 US Police and Fire Championships, featuring more than 35 Olympic-style events and new competitions, will return to San Diego, California.

Read More →
Collage of police officers and a firefighter with FOX & Frends logo.
PatrolOctober 27, 2025

FOX News Channel’s FOX & Friends to Host Live Audience for National First Responders Day

In honor of National First Responders Day, FOX News Channel’s FOX & Friends will host a live audience made up of first responders and their families. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel have been invited to attend the live program.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
patrolfinder - reducing crime thumbnail
SponsoredOctober 27, 2025

How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management

Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.

Read More →