TCSO Deputy Killed in the Line of Duty, Suspect in Deadly Officer Involved Shooting Killed 

April 10, 2026 – Tulare County Sheriff’s Office officials report on Deputy shot in Porterville on Thursday.

Sheriff Boudreaux is devastated to announce the loss of a Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, after he was shot and killed on Thursday morning in Porterville.

Related: California Governor Gavin Newsom Honors Fallen Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Hoppert

The Deputy has been identified as 35-year-old Randy Hoppert, a six-year-veteran of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 10:20 a.m. on April 9, 2026, TCSO Deputies were in the area Newcomb and Grand in Porterville serving an eviction notice, when 59-year-old David Morales opened fire on them, hitting Deputy Hoppert.

Deputy Hoppert was rushed to a local hospital, where we are heartbroken to confirm he passed away.

Shortly before 6:00 p.m. on Thursday night, Sheriff Boudreaux also announced that the suspect, David Morales, was run over and killed by Deputies driving the Kern County Sheriff’s Office SWAT vehicle.

Sheriff Boudreaux has met with the fallen Deputy’s family and offered his deepest condolences. All of us at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office are shocked and incredibly saddened by Thursday’s tragic events. We ask that you keep our Deputy’s grieving family in your prayers.

Source & photo: Tulare County Sheriff’s Office