Remembering Lake Elsinore Deputy Darnell Calhoun

January 3, 2026

Deputy Darnell Calhoun was shot and killed in the line of duty on January 13, 2023. Photo provided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

This month marks the third anniversary of the death of 30-year-old Darnell Calhoun, a Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station.

A photo of Deputy Calhoun is on display at Lake Elsinore City Hall. Photo by Canyon Lake Insider.

Deputy Calhoun was shot and killed in the line of duty when he responded to a domestic disturbance call around 4:30 p.m. on January 13, 2023, in the 18500 block of Hilldale Lane in the Lakeland Village community.

Lake Elsinore resident Jesse Ceazar Navarro,43, was charged with Deputy Calhoun’s murder.

The shooting occurred about two weeks after 32-year-old Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Isaiah Cordero was fatally shot while attempting a traffic stop in the City of Jurupa Valley, marking a deeply tragic period for the department and the region.

A memorial bench honoring Deputy Calhoun sits in the lobby of the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station, a lasting tribute to his service and sacrifice. Photo by Canyon Lake Insider.

On January 17, the City of Lake Elsinore held a candlelight vigil for Deputy Calhoun. The City of Murrieta held a candlelight vigil the following day. A public viewing was held on January 20, followed by a procession and funeral services on January 21.

In honor of Deputy Calhoun, a segment of I-15 between Central Avenue and North Main Street in the City of Lake Elsinore bears a sign officially designating that section of the highway the Deputy Darnell Calhoun Memorial Highway.

To assist Deputy’s Calhoun’s family, the Tunnel to Towers gifted the family with a mortgage-free home.

Deputy Calhoun began his law enforcement career with the San Diego Police Department in 2019. He joined the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in 2022.

A segment of I-15 between Central Avenue and North Main Street in the City of Lake Elsinore bears a sign officially designating that section of the highway the Deputy Darnell Calhoun Memorial Highway. Photo provided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Born in Pomona, Deputy Calhoun was raised in Murrieta, where his family owns a restaurant. During his younger years, he worked at the family restaurant and attended California State University, San Marcos, where he received his bachelor’s degree in criminology and justice studies.

In 2017, Deputy Calhoun married his high school sweetheart. At the time of his death, the couple had two children and a third child on the way.

“In all that he did, whether at home, at church, or while protecting our community, he exuded all that encompasses our moto of Service Above Self,” the department said.