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Incident
Sergeant Ron Helus was shot and killed at 11:20 p.m. after responding to an active shooter at a bar at 99 Rolling Oaks Drive in Thousand Oaks.
When he arrived, Sergeant Helus heard gunfire coming from inside the bar, which was occupied by nearly 200 college students. He and a California Highway Patrol officer immediately made entry into the bar and confronted the shooter, who was waiting to ambush them. Sergeant Helus was shot five times by the subject and severely wounded. He was also struck one time by a friendly-fire round during the shooting.
Sergeant Helus was taken to a local hospital where he died from his wounds. Eleven citizens were also shot and killed in the incident, and numerous others were wounded.
The suspect was later found dead inside the bar from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Sergeant Helus served with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office for 29 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
29 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Helus gave the Ventura County Sheriff's Office 29 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Ventura community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Helus.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ventura County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Ronald is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 1 officer at Ventura County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1961, with 2.
In 2018, 6 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 2018, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2018, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ronald was 54. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Ventura County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 41; the middle age was 30. Ronald had served 29.3 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Ronald was 54. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Ronald had served 29.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronald was 54. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ronald had served 29.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronald was 54. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ronald had served 29.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 11.1% of these deaths at Ventura County Sheriff's Office; August holds the most, 33.3%. Thursdays: 11.1%.
November holds 8% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 13 deaths at Ventura County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 8.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Ventura County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Ronald among them.
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Edmund Guy McMartin
Aug 20, 1921
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Bryce N. Patten
Aug 19, 1960
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Earl Mendenhall
Jul 15, 1961
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Donald L. Gregory
Sep 9, 1961
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Chester Lewis Larson
Jan 20, 1969
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Donald E. Haynie
Jun 5, 1970
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Harvey A. Varat
Oct 20, 1973
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Thomas Kenneth Collins
Oct 25, 1975
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Peter John Aguirre, Jr.
Jul 17, 1996
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Lisa Dianne Whitney
Aug 12, 1998
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Robert Daniel Bornet
Nov 6, 2006
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Yevhen Kostiuchenko
Oct 28, 2014
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Ronald Lee Helus
Nov 8, 2018
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Ventura County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
