Lawsuit Planned by Parents of Los Angeles Deputy Killed in Ambush

The parents of Ryan Clinkunbroomer, a Los Angeles county deputy who was ambushed and fatally shot while sitting in his police cruiser, are planning to sue the sheriff’s department and county leaders over excessive overtime policies. The parents argue that these policies put law enforcement officers like their son at greater risk. Clinkunbroomer was attacked on Sept. 16 after leaving the police station in Palmdale, with the alleged gunman, Kevin Salazar, being arrested the next day. The shooter’s family has stated that Salazar is a diagnosed schizophrenic with a long history of mental health struggles. In the two weeks before the shooting, Clinkunbroomer incurred 69 hours of overtime, including a double shift the day before, leaving him exhausted. Brad Gage, the attorney representing the deputy’s parents, stated that the excessive overtime made it difficult for Clinkunbroomer to see the danger signs of the ambush. The claim serves as a precursor to a wrongful death lawsuit, seeking $20 million in damages and changes to sheriff’s department staffing and scheduling policies. Salazar is facing one count of murder, plus special circumstance allegations. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The lawsuit seeks damages and changes to sheriff’s department staffing and scheduling policies. The head of the deputies’ Union said staffing shortages have been an ongoing problem in Los Angeles. “Failure to do so can only result in more tragic outcomes, not only for our deputy sheriffs, but for the millions of people who rely on them for protection,” stated Rich Pippin, president of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs.

Kim Clinkunbroomer, mother of Ryan Clinkunbroomer, was quoted as saying: “I don’t want any parent to ever have to sit at a Thanksgiving or holiday dinner with someone missing, like we had to this year”.