Fallen Heroes

Deputy Brian Ishmael responded to a reported theft of marijuana from a residence in Somerset, Ca. While clearing the marijuana garden, Deputy Ishmael was ambushed by an armed subject in the marijuana garden and shot multiple times. Deputy Ishmael later died at the hospital from his injuries.

Deputy Ishmael’s funeral was held on November 5, 2019 and was attended by more than 3000 law enforcement officers from around the nation and many community members. Deputy Ishmael was survived by his wife Katie and 3 children.

Deputy Cole was killed when his patrol vehicle ran off Pleasant Valley Road and struck a tree just east of El Dorado. At the time of his death (graveyard shift) Deputy Cole was responding to a non-emergency call when he failed to negotiate a curve and struck the tree. He was 33 years old and left behind a wife and three sons.

Deputy Sheriff Ora Clyde Owen was killed in the line of duty, 1961. Deputy Owen started with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office on August 1st, 1960. He was 43 years old when he died of injuries caused by a drunk driver, October 22nd, 1961. Deputy Owen was a 20 year veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was survived by his wife Dorothy.

Deputy Owen had been involved in a vehicle accident in South Lake Tahoe and was directing traffic. An off-duty deputy happened to be passing by the accident and was asked by Deputy Owen to help direct traffic and set out flares while they awaited the arrival of CHP and a tow truck. At the sound of screeching tires, the off-duty deputy turned to see Deputy Owen struck by a vehicle. Deputy Owen died at the scene.

Joe Staples was the first Deputy Sheriff to die in the line of duty in El Dorado County. He was shot trying to apprehend bandits who had robbed the Pioneer Stage Line traveling with their shipment of silver bars from Virginia City to Placerville. Deputy Staples died later that day, July 1st, 1864. The robbery became known as the Bullion Bend Robbery.

According to the local paper’s obituary – Joe Staples was buried the next day, July 2nd, 1864, at the Placerville Union Cemetery. The funeral service was well attended by residents of Placerville and Coloma, members of the fire department, county officials, friends of the deceased, and a “large number of ladies”.