Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Gibson, 31, and his K9 Partner Riley were killed in a shootout on 1/18/20. At 10:07 p.m. Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Deputies saw an occupied vehicle in a parking lot near Arden Way and Avondale Avenue that matched the description of a vehicle involved in a burglary series. Deputies initiated contact with the single occupant of the vehicle and were able to identify the subject as Robert Stephen Calderon, 46, and being on active parole. The subject became uncooperative and fled in his vehicle when deputies attempted to search the vehicle. A short pursuit ensued that terminated inside of the Cal Expo Complex located at 1600 Exposition Boulevard. The suspect vehicle became disabled after striking a curb and came to rest near a chain-link fence. Multiple patrol units gathered at the termination point to assist the initial deputies. Deputies gave several commands for the suspect to exit his vehicle and he refused. Deputies deployed less-lethal “bean bag” rounds into the suspect vehicle’s back window in an attempt to see inside. A K-9 handler deployed his K-9 into the back window of the vehicle at which time several shots were fired from within the vehicle. Two deputies and the canine were struck by the suspect’s gunfire. Multiple deputies returned fire. The wounded officers were transported by deputies in patrol units to an area hospital. Deputy Adam Gibson, a 31-year-old, 6 year veteran of the department, was pronounced deceased at the Kaiser Medical Center hospital. A second deputy, age 43 was stabilized and transported to a trauma center at UC Davis Medical Center for further treatment. K-9 Riley also died at the scene. K-9 Riley was 5 years old and had been in-service with our office for 3 years. Fire arrived and pronounced the sole occupant of the suspect vehicle deceased at the scene. Deputy Gibson served in the United States Marine Corps and did two tours in Afghanistan. Since joining the department in 2014 he has worked in corrections, patrol and most recently a canine handler. Deputy Gibson received the Sheriff’s Office Bronze Star for Bravery and a Major Incident Ribbon in 2018. Deputy Gibson leaves behind his wife Rachel Gibson, 9-month-old child.
Calderon who was shot and killed had a history of criminal activity, drug use and mental illness. Calderon was a former truck driver and in home health service worker and was frequently homeless and living in a Chevrolet Suburban. He had a combined nine felony and misdemeanor cases out of Sacramento County dating to 1993. The cases generally involve drugs and stolen vehicles. His most recent local case, a felony, came in 2012. He was sentenced to 16 months in state prison for vehicle theft.
