MARYSVILLE, CA - On Wednesday, March 26th, officials confirmed that an Army veteran police officer was killed in the line of duty during a shootout with armed suspects involved in transnational drug trafficking organizations infiltrating illicit drugs into the United States.
According to Fox News, the shootout happened during an operational crackdown on transnational drug trafficking organizations. On Wednesday afternoon during a press conference, Yuba County District Attorney Clint Curry said that multiple law enforcement agencies launched 20 search warrants across Yuba, Sutter, Tehama, and Butte counties as a result of a multi-year investigation into the trafficking of methamphetamines and fentanyl.
At the press conference, Yuba County Sheriff Wendell Anderson said that a Marysville Police Department (MPD) officer was injured during an exchange of gunfire between law enforcement and a person inside a home authorities were investigating. The officer, who was taken to the Adventist Health and Rideout Hospital, later died from his injuries.
Anderson said, "Obviously, this tragedy has rocked our small community." Anderson said that the gunman was also shot and killed. A second individual was inside the house and is being considered a witness at this time. The sheriff said the gunman died at the scene. During the news conference, Marysville Police Chief Christian Sachs did not identify the officer that was killed, saying the department will take Wednesday to honor and mourn him.
On Thursday, March 27th, the officer was identified as Osmar Rodarte. Sachs said he was a "loved one, a brother, a father, and a close friend." ABC10 reported that MPD said in a statement, "Officer Rodarte was more than a colleague; he was a friend, a father, an Army veteran, and a true hero." Rodarte was a two-year veteran of MPD. The officer's death marks the first time in over a century that a Marysville officer has been killed in the line of duty.
Curry said that before law enforcement launched their search warrants that they seized hundreds of pounds of different drugs, including methamphetamine and fentanyl. He said, "These were major players moving poison through our communities. And we couldn't just sit and watch it happen. We had to do something about it. And it's just tragic and all of us would just ask that you be praying for the officer's family and for this law enforcement community that's also grieving today."
The Sacramento Police Department posted a tribute on social media: "The Sacramento Police Department is grieving the loss of Marysville PD Officer Rodarte, who was senselessly killed in the line of duty this morning. Office Rodarte graduated from the Sacramento Police Academy Class 22BR-1. Our hearts are with Officer Rodarte's family, friends, co-workers, as well as his academy staff & classmates. Officer Rodarte's bravery, commitment, and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Officer Rodarte."
KCRA reported that California Assemblymember James Gallagher wrote on X, "This morning we have learned that one of our young brave Marysville police officers has been killed in the line of duty. Our hearts and our prayers are with this young officer's family and our local law enforcement family."
The DA said it may be months before details are released about the shootout that killed Rodarte and the gunman. Governor Gavin Newsom said that flags at the Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space would be flown at half-staff in honor of Rodarte.
According to Fox News, the shootout happened during an operational crackdown on transnational drug trafficking organizations. On Wednesday afternoon during a press conference, Yuba County District Attorney Clint Curry said that multiple law enforcement agencies launched 20 search warrants across Yuba, Sutter, Tehama, and Butte counties as a result of a multi-year investigation into the trafficking of methamphetamines and fentanyl.
At the press conference, Yuba County Sheriff Wendell Anderson said that a Marysville Police Department (MPD) officer was injured during an exchange of gunfire between law enforcement and a person inside a home authorities were investigating. The officer, who was taken to the Adventist Health and Rideout Hospital, later died from his injuries.
Anderson said, "Obviously, this tragedy has rocked our small community." Anderson said that the gunman was also shot and killed. A second individual was inside the house and is being considered a witness at this time. The sheriff said the gunman died at the scene. During the news conference, Marysville Police Chief Christian Sachs did not identify the officer that was killed, saying the department will take Wednesday to honor and mourn him.
On Thursday, March 27th, the officer was identified as Osmar Rodarte. Sachs said he was a "loved one, a brother, a father, and a close friend." ABC10 reported that MPD said in a statement, "Officer Rodarte was more than a colleague; he was a friend, a father, an Army veteran, and a true hero." Rodarte was a two-year veteran of MPD. The officer's death marks the first time in over a century that a Marysville officer has been killed in the line of duty.
Curry said that before law enforcement launched their search warrants that they seized hundreds of pounds of different drugs, including methamphetamine and fentanyl. He said, "These were major players moving poison through our communities. And we couldn't just sit and watch it happen. We had to do something about it. And it's just tragic and all of us would just ask that you be praying for the officer's family and for this law enforcement community that's also grieving today."
The Sacramento Police Department posted a tribute on social media: "The Sacramento Police Department is grieving the loss of Marysville PD Officer Rodarte, who was senselessly killed in the line of duty this morning. Office Rodarte graduated from the Sacramento Police Academy Class 22BR-1. Our hearts are with Officer Rodarte's family, friends, co-workers, as well as his academy staff & classmates. Officer Rodarte's bravery, commitment, and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Officer Rodarte."
KCRA reported that California Assemblymember James Gallagher wrote on X, "This morning we have learned that one of our young brave Marysville police officers has been killed in the line of duty. Our hearts and our prayers are with this young officer's family and our local law enforcement family."
The DA said it may be months before details are released about the shootout that killed Rodarte and the gunman. Governor Gavin Newsom said that flags at the Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space would be flown at half-staff in honor of Rodarte.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2 days ago | Comment by: William F
We need an expedited "legal EXECUTION" policy in the US.