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Incident
Deputy Eric Thach was shot and killed after being ambushed at a home-invasion robbery at the 9100 Block of Kennedy Street in Pedley at 130 pm.
He had responded to the call when neighbors noticed a strange man at the house. While at the scene, Deputy Thach was shot with an assault rifle, and the shot penetrated his protective vest. At the time he was shot, Deputy Thach had not even seen the suspect.
He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead about two hours later.
The suspect then left the scene and started several brush fires in the area in an attempt to escape. Other responding deputies shot and killed the suspect near the fires.
Deputy Thach had served with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Thach gave the Riverside County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Riverside community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Thach.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Riverside County Sheriff's Department has lost 27 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Eric is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Eric is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eric is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1999, 1 officer at Riverside County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 2.
In 1999, 4 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 101st heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1999, 58 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 133rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1999, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Eric was 34. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Riverside County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.5 and 40.5; the middle age was 34. Eric had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Eric was 34. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Eric had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eric was 34. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Eric had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eric was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Eric had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.3% of these deaths at Riverside County Sheriff's Department; January holds the most, 25%. Fridays: 25%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in CA, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.1%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 44.4% of all 27 deaths at Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Riverside County Sheriff's Department has 27 officers remembered here, Eric among them.
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Frank Hamilton Apr 9, 1895
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Henry F. Nelson
Sep 22, 1921
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Theodore Crossley
Sep 22, 1921
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Howard R. Scheffler
Feb 29, 1956
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Roger A. Strong
Aug 7, 1961
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William J. Rutledge
May 14, 1969
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William F. Carter, Jr.
May 20, 1969
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Edward M. Schrader
Jul 11, 1974
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James B. Evans
May 9, 1980
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Dirk Alan Leonardson
Oct 4, 1980
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Michael David Davis, Sr.
Oct 24, 1988
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Randy Robert Lutz
Jun 22, 1989
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Kent Hintergardt
May 9, 1993
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Mark Steven Kemp
Nov 9, 1994
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Michael Paul Haugen
Jan 5, 1997
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James Warren Lehmann, Jr.
Jan 5, 1997
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Eric Andrew Thach
Oct 8, 1999
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Brent C. Jenkins
Mar 18, 2003
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Bruce Kevin Lee
May 13, 2003
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Manuel Villegas
Mar 19, 2007
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Terrell Don Young
Apr 2, 2020
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Harry Morris Cohen
Oct 18, 2020
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Steve Taylor
Feb 24, 2022
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Isaiah Cordero
Dec 29, 2022
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Darnell Calhoun
Jan 13, 2023
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Brett Harris
May 13, 2023
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Timothy Corlew
Jan 8, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Riverside County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
