OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 6:54 AM PT — Thurs. Nov. 8, 2018
More information is coming to light about the sheriff who was killed in the Ventura, California shooting.
Sergeant Ron Helus was a 29-year-veteran of law enforcement, and was just one year away from retirement.
Authorities said Helus was on the scene within the first three-minutes of the shooting. He entered the front door of the Borderline Bar alongside a highway patrol officer before he was shot multiple times. He later died at a hospital.
According to a sheriff’s official, Helus was on the phone with his wife right before responding to the incident. He told tell her he loved her and had to go.
Sgt. Ron Helus. 29 year VCSO veteran. Set to retire next year. Died trying to save the lives of 100+ people. Died a hero. #ThousandOaks #Borderline pic.twitter.com/9fUBEwXFeN
— VCscanner (@VCscanner) November 8, 2018
“Ron was a hardworking, dedicated sheriff sergeant, he was totally committed, he gave his all and tonight (Wednesday) — as I told his wife — he died a hero because he went in to save lives, to save other people,” stated Sheriff Geoff Dean of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.
The sergeant is survived by his wife and son.
