Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Victor Lemus Obituary, Death – Three experienced deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department tragically lost their lives in an explosion at a training facility in East Los Angeles on Friday. The incident occurred in the morning at the department’s Arson and Explosives Detail site, where a powerful blast broke nearby law enforcement vehicle windows and left the entire department in mourning.
The explosion happened after a homeowner in Santa Monica discovered what looked like grenades while cleaning out a garage. Believing them to be inert, the homeowner reported them, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s bomb squad collected the items. One of the devices was brought to the training center for examination, where it detonated as officials attempted to safely neutralize it. The explosion killed three detectives from the elite Arson and Explosives Detail team.
Sheriff Robert Luna expressed deep sorrow at the loss, saying the cause of the explosion remains unknown and that investigations are ongoing. He emphasized the dedication and professionalism of the fallen detectives, stating that the unit typically responds to over a thousand calls annually involving potential explosives. He called the incident a heartbreaking loss of some of the department’s most skilled and dedicated personnel.
The victims were identified as Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Detective William Osborn, and Detective Victor Lemus. Collectively, they had served the community for 74 years. Sheriff Luna said this was the largest loss of life in the department’s history since 1857.
Deputy Sheriff Tony Meraz praised the character of the fallen officers, describing them as the kind of people the public would want to show up in times of crisis. He said they were among the very best in their field. Another colleague, Jason Zabala from the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, was visibly emotional. He revealed he had gone through dive training with two of the victims and called them smart, hard-working, and driven.
The explosion highlighted the inherent dangers faced by bomb squad officers and those working with hazardous materials. Zabala pointed out that even with extensive training and safety protocols, unpredictable and deadly incidents can still occur.
In response to the tragedy, the LAPD bomb squad was called to the scene to ensure all remaining materials were secure and posed no further risk. An emotional procession followed on Friday afternoon to honor the fallen deputies, with their fellow officers and community members paying their respects.
The Sheriff’s Department has launched an in-depth investigation, but officials warn that it could take several weeks or even months to determine the precise cause of the deadly explosion. In the meantime, the law enforcement community and local residents are grappling with the profound loss of three devoted public servants who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
