Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Brian Ishmael was shot and killed while responding to a call reporting the larceny of marijuana plants in the area of Sand Ridge Road and Mount Aukum Road in the rural Somerset community.
A subject operating marijuana grow had observed several men stealing plants at approximately 12:30 a.m. and stated that a vehicle was parked at a neighbor's home. Deputy Ishmael and an off-duty deputy from the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office who was riding along with him responded to the area. Shortly after 1:00 a.m., he broadcast that shots had been fired. Deputy Ishmael and the off-duty deputy both exchanged shots with multiple subjects.
Deputy Ishmael was shot and killed, and the off-duty deputy was wounded during the shootout. Two men, one of whom was wounded, were taken into custody by responding officers. The 911 caller was also arrested after discovering he was a business partner of the shooters and failed to disclose the relationship to the police. Several days later, a fourth subject was arrested after an investigation revealed that the marijuana grows were illegally contracted by a subject in Mexico. All four subjects, including at least one of whom is an illegal alien, have been charged by both state and federal authorities.
In 2022, one suspect was convicted of felony voluntary manslaughter and possession of marijuana for sale. Another suspect was convicted of being an accessory after the fact. The shooter was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, the minimum sentence.
Deputy Ishmael had served with the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office for four years and had previously served with the Placerville Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-4A5F18E2- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Ishmael gave the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Placerville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ishmael.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Brian David Ishmael is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Brian David Ishmael's cause is highlighted.
How Brian David Ishmael Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Brian David Ishmael is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Brian David Ishmael was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from El Dorado County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
