Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Leonard Estes and Deputy William Hunter were shot and killed after responding to a call involving one neighbor threatening another.
As Deputy Hunter responded to the scene, the original reporting party called back and stated that the suspect had stolen a firearm. Deputy Hunter then requested backup, and Lieutenant Estes, who was in the area, volunteered and responded to the scene, arriving 19 minutes after Deputy Hunter.
Deputy Hunter entered the cabin, where he was ambushed by the suspect as he walked around the corner just inside the front door. The suspect shot him in the head, fatally wounding him. When Lieutenant Estes entered the cabin, he exchanged shots with the suspect at a range of three feet. Lieutenant Estes' weapon was found with one round remaining and had been jammed when it was struck by one of the suspect's rounds. The exchange of gunfire between Lieutenant Estes and the suspect left both men fatally wounded.
When dispatch was unable to reach either officer, additional units were sent by the California Highway Patrol. When they arrived, they located both cruisers parked in front of the small cabin. The sheriff's department's SWAT team was then called out. After firing tear gas, entry was made into the home where the bodies of Deputy Hunter, Lieutenant Estes, and the suspect were located. The suspect was described as a survivalist who was often seen carrying weapons.
Lieutenant Estes had been employed with the Butte County Sheriff's Department for 30 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-624F7599- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
30 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Estes gave the Butte County Sheriff's Office 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Oroville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Estes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant Leonard Bruce Estes is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Butte 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. Leonard Bruce Estes's cause is highlighted.
How Leonard Bruce Estes Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leonard Bruce Estes is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leonard Bruce Estes was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Butte County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
