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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
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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 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
El Dorado County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Brian is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Brian is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Brian is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2019, 6 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 2019, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2019, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Brian was 37. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Brian had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Brian was 37. 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. Brian had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Brian was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in CA, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 7.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
El Dorado County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Brian among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from El Dorado County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
