The three Los Angeles County Sheriff detectives killed in Friday’s explosion were described as “the best and best” who served their community with honor, courage and unwavering commitment.
The fallen lawyer – identified as dets. Joshua Kelly Ecklund, Victor Rems, William Osborne – serving the Sheriff’s Office for a total of 74 years. They leave sad colleagues, friends and family members, including 16 children within them.
The fatal explosion took place while a man was moving his weapon at the Viscales Center Training Academy at the Sheriff’s Bureau in East Los Angeles, marking the agency’s most fatal incident in more than 160 years, sending shockwaves through the law enforcement community.
All three were highly trained members of the department’s arson explosive details.
“These heroes represent the best in our department and exemplify courage, integrity and selfless service,” said LA County Sheriff Robert Luna. “This is not only a heartbreaking loss for our family, but it is a heartbreaking loss for all of us.”
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna will accept members of his team after a press conference that announced three people had been killed after an explosion at the department’s Viscale Center Training Academy on Friday.
(Carlin Steel/Los Angeles Times)
On Thursday, the three detectives responded to help the Santa Monica Police Department remove explosives at their apartment in the 800 block of Bay Street.
The complex is now at the heart of the department’s ongoing investigation and could lead to neglecting murder charges against those who constructed or preserved the equipment that killed a man, a law enforcement source told The Times. The FBI and LA Police Department bomb troops are helping with the investigation. The Bureau of Alcohol, cigarettes, firearms and explosives are expected to lead federal investigations into the causes of the explosion.
Here’s what we know about the man we were killed:
det. William Osborne
According to a department news release, Osborne joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1992 and had a deep love for research and reputation as a peer leader. He became a member of the agency’s Elite Special Enforcement Bureau in 2019, and said, ” [the] Lifetime stock technicians were regularly dependent upon them when faced with new challenges. ”
“They are the best and best,” Luna said of the agency’s special executive branch.
Osborn leaves his wife, det. Shannon Rincon, four sons and two daughters.
Osborne began his career at Men’s Central Prison and also worked for the Pico Rivera and the Industrial Bureau. He was a detective who handled more than 100 cases each year for more than a decade and was known for his work in recovering stolen vehicles, authorities said.
In 2016 he moved to the Training Bureau and after teaching emergency vehicle operations he returned to research work with the Special Enforcement Bureau. There he handled arson cases that included a major loss of life and property.
He can rely on regular guidance to new investigators and providing relevant insights on a wide range of subjects, officials said.
det. Victor Rems
Lemus came from a family of law enforcement experts and joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2003. He leaves his wife Det. Nancy Remus, three daughters.
His three sisters – Sgt. Belems, Deputy Director-General of Perla Remus and custody aide Wendy Remus – as well as his brother-in-law Sergeant, all work in the department. Robert Catalan.
In addition to being a talented investigator, he was an avid athlete who locked some of Baker, California’s most difficult feet in Las Vegas. The annual relay race involves 10,000 runners from law enforcement agencies across the country, teams collaborating to cross 120 miles.
After starting his career with Twin Towers Correctional Facility, Lemus moved to Century Station, where he worked as a senior training officer and detective. He joined the Special Enforcement Bureau in 2017 and worked as a K-9 handler before becoming an investigator for arson and explosives last year.
According to a news release, he was known for his prominent arrests of career criminals and for his ability to mentor fellow representatives.
det. Joshua Kelly Ecklund
Kelley-Eklund was known as an outstanding field training officer who helped resolve complex crimes and assisted in the arrest of murder suspects. He joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2006, and according to a news release, his wife Jessica Ekland and seven children are still alive.
He began his career at Pitches Detention Center at Correctional Facilities in North and North County, and later worked at Lennox and South Los Angeles stations. As a training officer, he was known for coaching several new trainees and being professional and clear, officials said.
He was promoted to the rank of drug dispensary detective in 2016 and then joined the Special Enforcement Bureau in 2022 as an arson and explosive investigator.
Details regarding the fallen agent’s additional services ceremony will be announced in the coming days, the department said.
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