Details are still emerging from the horrific shooting in California this morning. It is believed that 12 people died at the gunman’s hand before he committed suicide. And one of his victims was Sheriff’s Sergeant Ron Helus, who reportedly was shot multiple times when trying to confront the shooter.

The sergeant was one of the first law enforcement officers on the scene. The current belief is that once confronted by Sgt. Helus, the shooting “stopped,” according to the Ventura Sheriff’s office, and at that point the shooter committed suicide.

The shooter has been identified.

#ThousandOaksShooting (via @VENTURASHERIFF):

-Suspect ID'd as 28-year-old Ian David Long, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
-Used a .45-caliber handgun in the shooting. Purchased weapon legally.
-Deputies are seeking a search warrant to do thorough search of his house
-Motive unclear

— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) November 8, 2018

As of right now, there seems to be no discernable motive or reasoning behind these murders. But what we do know is that law enforcement, and specifically Sgt. Ron Helus, saved lives.
https://twitter.com/FOXLA/status/1060588925238960128

Ventura County Sheriff deputies brought to tears at the strong show of support for their fallen deputy, Sgt Ron Helus.
It means a lot to them.
Tragic day….for all of us. @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/caenPE0pIv

— Gigi Graciette (@GigiGraciette) November 8, 2018

Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus — who was nearing retirement in about a year — “gave it his all” but was shot multiple times by 28-year-old gunman Ian David Long and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said.

“He died a hero because he went in to save lives, to save other people,” Dean said.

The first reports of shots fired at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks came in around 11:20 p.m. on a night the packed bar was hosting a special “College Country Night” event. Dean said Helus made one last call before heading to the scene: to his wife.

Helus was having a conversation with his wife on the phone at the time he got the call about the shooting, as he does several times during his the shift, according to Dean.

“He said to her, ‘I gotta go handle a call, I love you. I’ll talk to you later,'” he told reporters.

The sheriff said it was only three minutes later that Helus made entry to the bar with two California highway patrol officers. The cops believed there were other victims still trapped in the bar, but as Helus entered the front door, he was struck “multiple times” by gunfire.

“They knew they had to take action, and they went in and did what they had to do,” Dean said.

Helus, a 29-year veteran of the force, leaves behind a wife and son, according to Dean.

“You know we go to the gym together, work out together, and its horrific and terrible and it saddens our heart,” said Dean, who appeared visibly emotional and on the verge of tears.

“There’s just no way to describe this,” he said. “It saddens us all and it tears at our hearts and emotions as it should.”

The president has tweeted about the shooting, and noted the sacrifice of Sgt. Helus.

I have been fully briefed on the terrible shooting in California. Law Enforcement and First Responders, together with the FBI, are on scene. 13 people, at this time, have been reported dead. Likewise, the shooter is dead, along with the first police officer to enter the bar….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 8, 2018

….Great bravery shown by police. California Highway Patrol was on scene within 3 minutes, with first officer to enter shot numerous times. That Sheriff’s Sergeant died in the hospital. God bless all of the victims and families of the victims. Thank you to Law Enforcement.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 8, 2018

Sgt. Helus’s willingness to be the first to enter a dangerous situation cost him his life, but probably saved countless others. May God comfort his family while Ventura County and the nation pauses to honor his sacrifice.

Featured image: Sheriff’s Sergeant Ron Helus (photo via Ventura County Sheriff Twitter feed)