The Antelope Valley Times

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Slain deputy’s parents to sue LA County Sheriff’s Department

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Ryan Clinkunbroomer

PALMDALE – The parents of a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy who was fatally shot in a Palmdale ambush attack announced a $20 million damages claim, accusing the sheriff’s department and county officials of knowingly endangering the lives of deputies by forcing them to work excessive hours and shifts.

“We don’t want any parent to ever have to sit at a Thanksgiving or holiday dinner with someone missing, like we had to this year,” Kim Clinkunbroomer, the mother of the late Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, said at a news conference on Tuesday, Nov. 28, to announce the claim, which is a precursor to a lawsuit.

Michael and Kim Clinkunbroomer filed the claim against the county on Monday, Nov. 27, alleging deputies are forced to work excessive overtime hours, and the situation left Ryan Clinkunbroomer too fatigued and unable to defend himself, leaving him susceptible to the ambush. According to their attorney, Bradley Gage, Ryan Clinkunbroomer worked 69 hours of overtime — in addition to his normal 80 hours — in the two weeks prior to his death.

“We are here to help bring community awareness to a problem that the department has known for years and the Board of Supervisors has known for years,” Gage told reporters. According to the claim, first reported and obtained by NBC4, the sheriff’s department forces deputies to “work mind-numbing overtime resulting in Ryan’s death and the likely death of other deputies.”

In a statement to NBC4, Sheriff Robert Luna said, “The senseless ambush murder of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer was the epitome of evil and the department continues to mourn his death.”

Clinkunbroomer, a 30-year-old, third-generation deputy, was shot Sept. 16 while sitting in his patrol car at a traffic light near the station at Sierra Highway and East Avenue Q. Video from the scene showed a dark-colored sedan pulling up behind the patrol SUV, then slowly pulling alongside the driver’s side of the deputy’s vehicle, pausing, then driving away. Sheriff’s officials said a good Samaritan stopped to render aid after the shooting and the wounded deputy was taken to Antelope Valley Medical Center in grave condition. He was pronounced dead that night.

Kevin Cataneo Salazar, 29, has been charged with the killing, and has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Sheriff’s deputies in tactical gear and armored vehicles — working off tips from the public — descended on Salazar’s family home on Sept. 18, initiating a standoff that finally ended when Special Enforcement Bureau personnel flushed him out with “chemical agents,” Luna said at the time.

Luna said “numerous firearms” were also recovered following the arrest, and that deputies seized a dark-colored sedan that was believed to be linked to the killing. Luna said Clinkunbroomer was “murdered, ambushed by a coward.” But Salazar’s mother and sister told reporters he is mentally ill.

“My brother, he’s getting called a coward,” Salazar’s sister, Jessica, told reporters. “He wasn’t in his right state of mind.”

Clinkunbroomer had gotten engaged four days before he was killed.

Previous related stories:

Mother of deputy shot to death in Palmdale calls DA’s decision a ‘disgrace’

Alleged killer of sheriff’s deputy in Palmdale charged with murder

Authorities arrest alleged killer of sheriff’s deputy in Palmdale

Deputy shot and killed near Palmdale Station, manhunt underway for suspect

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85 comments for "Slain deputy’s parents to sue LA County Sheriff’s Department"

  2. Obvious money grab, so desperate for money.Our tax money in their pocket they want.

  3. To those who say, “Just quit”. Well, when it’s ones heart to help and livelihood, it’s not that “simple”, even with a modest house, townhome or apartments monthly rent/ payment, average new/used car payment everything is so expensive. Also, if you have a spouse who cares for the home and multiple children, one cannot, “Just quit”. Yes, We signed up to work any hour/ shift (but, within reason): The occasional late arrest and paper work, the far and few between EOC activations (earthquakes, wildfires, riots), and a co workers family emergency or sick call in.
    The current mandatory overtime requirements are not (within reason). The County is culpable for not addressing staffing shortages early on, well over ten years ago. Mandatory overtime is not sustainable long term, and has already affected the health of Sheriffs ( patrol/custody) Line personnel the most.
    People outside of LASD must realize that under the current staffing crisis, a lot of the “voluntary overtime” is not “truly voluntary”. Line Personnels arms and minds are literally being twisted.

  4. Majority of Overtime is voluntary ….

    Some overtime is mandatory, but the majority of OT is voluntary….This information is coming from my son in law whom is a deputy sheriff ….

    • it would HAVE to be…otherwise it falls afoul of the 13th amendment…you know, the one about slavery?

      • Uh, no. Prohibition of slavery has no bearing on terms of paid employment as long as “well, I quit then” remains an option.

        Labor law established the 40 hour work week and makes paying extra for beyond 40 hours mandatory. I don’t think there is anything to prohibit “accepting overtime is a condition of employment.” That said, the cop unions are IMMENSELY powerful, and if they haven’t put overtime limits into the contract it is because their members don’t want it. If they wanted to eliminate any “overtime mandatory as a condition of employment” requirements they would have eliminated them.

        • So now you’re going to take more money from the county and tax payers- money needed to protect the other officers who are still alive and doing work? You need to stop being selfish and greedy, and support those who supported your son more than anything. They showed so much love and respect to your son, and they apprehended the perpetrator quicker than most people ever see. Give some gratitude and move on. This money grab is sickening.

    • Somehow a constitutional scholar has invaded our little party. A bad one at that.

      Still, rolling up the constitution so it fits in the nethers of conservatives IS a new tactic

  5. Was the overtime mandatory? If so, then is the murder the result of not being alert and not being aware of what’s going down? If the overtime was voluntary, then how is the department liable if the slain deputy was murdered as a result of voluntary overtime? Also, if the family knew the deputy was wearing himself out and was working voluntary OT, did they say something to him? This is going to be an interesting case.

    • Yes it’s will be interesting because it’s like the code red thing, for example on a large build overtime may be officially voluntary by choosing not work that Saturday or fraterday call can have status or repercussions later. Hospital staff, studio workers and the trades know this. Despite all the safety rhetoric in many professions regarding long hours nothing has changed let alone in a sheriff station that rarely even handles routine calls anymore.

    • Totally agree, referring to this officer as a “desk puke” by one of the commentators here is totally ignorant. Training officers are usually involved in every serious call. I in fact was involved in a shooting on Palmdale blvd and 10th st East 7-4-21 10:30pm, the first two deputies were a training deputy and his boot. Most desk jobs are done by pensioners 39-1/2hrs a month with the help of volunteers.

      • I’m just glad I didn’t drive my 06 GTO that night. It was a unique cross brace on that car that protected my daughter. Law enforcement was so indifferent because of the fact that it’s so common in that area that I went to both the Palmdale Mayor and the supervisors office the day to voice my concern. Because it’s clear too me that this wouldn’t be the case in places like Stevenson Ranch.

      • Yeah, I asked…why you were at a donut shop at 10:30 on the 4th of July. How that connects to your answer about seat belts in shopping carts…yeah, I don’t follow, but whatever. I’m sure it all makes sense to you.

      • Seems odd that someone that measures their worth by their stuff like you do wouldn’t have fixed the bullet holes. Some sort of ‘badge of courage’ thing?

      • What for just painted the car before the shooting. Why wood I want to pay for a deductible. But people do ask, mainly because of the direction 9/10 are on the side or rear.

      • One I never said I was at a donut shop, maybe it’s you that can’t read.
        I’m saying you’re narrow minded considering it’s a state hwy and there’s several reasons why someone would be on that road ie; diner etc. Did your mom stop babying you at 29 and that’s why you robbed banks for meager cash and a lucky 3yr stint. Born stupid done stupid, still stupid.

        • I asked because I was curious. Being curious is actually towards the opposite of narrow minded. I brought up the donut shop because its the only thing open at that time of night on that corner. It was mostly a joke, since we were talking about your pro-cop stance…I mean maybe you were buying a cop a donut.

          But I guess being so hate filled as you are doesn’t leave any room for humor.

          • I don’t see where you pick up a pro cop stance in my comments, it’s just obvious that you’re anti law enforcement. My stance is objective. As far as hate it’s not hate it’s just a reaction too you and your insults long before and most importantly you saying how bad you wanted to meet me and I’m here at Everett Martin any time you desire, it’s a really peaceful place nice basketball courts. But you did start this.

      • The comments that got moderated out here paint a really interesting picture…even though they left a somewhat disjointed conversation.

          • Most likely it is or one of your criminal friends, didn’t you say that. You know more criminals than anyone else. Losers that hate cops and the system because of the choices THEY made. I’m not obsessed just don’t understand you had so much energy about some meet up, but it was just more of your fairy tales.

          • Yeah, not understanding comes with the territory for you, doesn’t it?

            Funny thing. It hasn’t cleared the moderator for some reason, but I thanked you yesterday because I got a really useful insight out of our conversations. I understand that you, of course, never get anything from them, so I particularly appreciate that you hang in there…even if it is just an obsession for you.

          • Like I said blathering babbling. And now you want help from the moderators with all the nonsense you’ve laid on people here. L

          • Never sold snake oil, mostly just cars. Copiers and paper for a while. Not much market for snake oil.

        • Templer cannot handle it when it’s dished back to him.

          Need a bigger spoon, friend?

        • “Obviously your the retard if you can’t see a conservative or know what one is, nothing to fear from you for them.”

          My English teacher says this is a poorly formed thought that led to a very poor expression. She suggested that maybe the person was either under the influence of drugs or maybe having a stroke.

      • LOL…if I have something to say I just use the usual screen name. Why would I bother doing anything else? The way you think that you are so cool that only I think you are a clown is hilarious.

        Except when what I am posting is a quote from someone else, then I use their name so it is properly accredited.

    • The story is about people under the sway of some personal injury lawyer who is trying to monetize a tragedy. It was ignorant and disgusting long before the first comment was made.

  7. This just comes off as greedy. $20 million dollars won’t bring your son back, but I guess it will pay off the mortgage on that house in Santa Clarita and buy you a bigger one, right?

  9. Sad that the family thinks money will replace their son. Can you prove overtime was forced on him? Did he tell you, oh gee mom and dad, I am so sick of being forced to work overtime, I am so exhausted. The fault was the guy they arrested for killing him. I am sorry for your loss, but, I hope you get nothing.

  10. This case will almost certainly settle, but if it went to court the interesting part would be the ‘proof’ about the overtime being forced. It would take some serious evidence to convince me of that, because when I was selling cars I took plenty of credit apps from cops, and without fail they were horrifically overextended already. Also without fail when told that their income wasn’t going to qualify them because of the bills they already had they would ask “what does my income need to be?” and then produce an earnings statement that showed whatever income they needed, based on ‘regular consistent overtime.’ This guy may be different, but every one that I encountered, the only thing ‘forcing’ them to work the overtime was their spending habits.

    • Sounds like a fairly tale. Just another cop bashing comment from timmy, trouble qualifying for a used car in Bakersfield. “Plenty of credit apps from cops”. ‘timmy tales’.

      • LOL…sure man. Totally unbelievable. Cops never buy cars. Car salesmen don’t fill out credit apps for customers. Can’t be real.

        Being hate filled is making you more of a buffoon every day.

          • Indeed you are. “Cops don’t by cars! This is a fairy tale!!!”

            That may be the dumbest thing you have said yet, and that’s a high bar.

          • Just you as always hearing yourself talk no value to the conversation at all. “When I was a chicken hawk” Lancaster’s version of the Bubble boy. At least in timmys mind.

    • O/T no O/T poor guy would have ended up exactly the same…o/t did not cause his death, a sneaky doochebag caused it.

  11. There’s a deputy out here that hides and bilks the county. He has a routine that includes several leisure spots, friends house, fire station and a winery. And applies for training that he knows he’ll never use because he couldn’t clear a four foot fence. Maybe dedicated officers wouldn’t be so pressed if some didn’t abuse the tax payers.

      • Because of the BOS cutting the budget and small academy class sizes, there are not enough deputies. So yes, there is FORCED overtime—as much as 8 extra shifts a month, essentially working 7 days a week. They are not willingly doing this! There may be a person here or there who is signing up for extra time beyond the FORCED time but that is not the majority.

        However, it’s usually 16 hour shifts. I know a person who worked 3 16 hour back to back shifts. But they weren’t really 16, it was more. If they made an arrest at end of shift, there was booking and paperwork that needed to be done.

        These means they may not get off work until 2am, then drive home, try to sleep, only to be up at 7am to be at the station a little before 8am to put in another 16+ hour day.

        These deputies are physically and mentally fatigued. Many are missing out on family life and events. Morale has been low for quite awhile now. They don’t feel supported by their administration, definitely not the BOS or Gascon.

          • OT pay is 1.5 times the hourly rate the particular individual is paid, just like anywhere else. It’s the law. Hourly rate for this specific guy is unknown.

          • Why you making fun of Concerned Citizen? Mind so clouded with hate that you can’t control yourself?

          • Concerned citizen wasn’t asking what overtime rules are. anyone that ever worked knows that, can’t you read timmy. But you never had a real job did you paper salesman.

        • yes, if Luna is doing something that is against the best interests of taxpayers we should be aware and be able to vote him out, like Villaineuva

        • Another aggravating factor is the fact the Antelope Valley is hind fiddle to other parts of the fifth district, even acknowledged by Luna himself. Set off an illegal fire work in Stevenson Ranch and you get more corn fed deputies than either of our stations. I’ve witnessed our resident deputy in my area say over and over at council meetings that deputies don’t want to work up here. I don’t fully buy that deputy’s claim, I think it’s a political cop out too solicit more funding.

          • Well, that plus the 5th district is ‘hind fiddle’ to the rest of the county because no one else on the board cares one whit what our representative has to say. They know she’s just there to rail out sound bites that play to the conservatives that elect her, not to actually accomplish anything, so they just let her rail and go about the business of running the county. Being conservatives, her supporters don’t care if she is completely ineffective, so long as she gives voice to their butthurt outrage.

        • Shoulda been clearer, Mr Taxpayer. Did you want $$$ Rate or the multiplier?

          Transparentcalifornia says the dep collected $35k in 2022 in OT.

          Ask Luna if it was it worth it, if what some say about OT and fatigue are true.

          Especially if the $20M holds.

          $20M/35k= 571

          or 571 years of OT for this deputy.

  12. “…Ryan Clinkunbroomer worked 69 hours of overtime — in addition to his normal 80 hours — in the two weeks prior to his death.”

    The OT is there for the taking. It is easy money until something goes wrong.

      • So sad that you think money will replace your son. How do you know he was ‘forced’ to work overtime? Did he say gee mom and dad, I am so over worked and extremely tired from them forcing me to work. Maybe he was working voluntarily because he just got engaged? I know shocker. Saving for wedding, house future kids.
        The person responsible is behind bars. And no, holidays, birthdays will never ever be the same. But, justice will be served. I am sorry, but I hope you get nothing.

        • I don’t think it’s that superficial, it’s the family’s way of pointing out a systemic problem. similar lawsuits have been filed with hospital workers and people in the trades when a loved one dies commuting too and from work. This is a beleaguered agency rife with problems but this was a good deputy and person.

      • Training officers are in the vehicles alongside the trainee—not in offices! They work the same shifts. They work a lot of overtime because the trainees are inexperienced thus often slower to complete tasks especially paperwork. Typically the training officer stays with trainee until they get the reports done correctly, which could be hours.

      • Just because he’s a training deputy doesn’t mean he has office or desk duty in fact quite contrary, training officers usually respond to serious calls for the purpose of training. In his case he was alone at the time due to a shortage of on scene investigators. Hardly a “desk puke” lame comment.

          • Some rando makes a comment and your hate cloud says “gotta be Tim, gotta be Tim” and forces you to make multiple replies…and I laugh my tail off. NOBODY need to pity me.
            Your jar would be empty if it weren’t full of hate.

          • LOL…multiple posts…at the wrong guy…on your way to bed at eleven, and you are at it first thing in the morning at five. That is genuinely sad.

            By the way, are ‘hate treads’ what marine tanks run on, or is that just you?

          • LOL…keep trying. With three replies you would think you would get a hit, but watching you strike out over and over is hilarious.