Hundreds of community members gathered in Santa Clarita Sunday night to honor the late Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer at a candlelight vigil after his tragic death.  

Hundreds of people gathered together on Sunday night to honor Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, a Santa Clarita native, who was shot dead in the line of duty in Palmdale on Sept.16. 

KHTS News / Dani Gallegos

“It’s one thing to put your life on the line for another human being, that’s actually the biggest form of love you could give another human being and that’s what Ryan did on a daily basis, put his life on the line for the security of all of us around him in this community and that is the ultimate form of love,” said Congressman Mike Garcia. 

The memorial was held at Marketplace Park, with several community leaders joining the solemn moment of reflection, including Mayor Jason Gibbs, L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, and more. 

KHTS News / Dani Gallegos

The ceremony began with the marching band for West Ranch High School, Clinkunbroomer’s Alma Mater, playing the national anthem. 

“I personally never had the honor of meeting Deputy Clinkunbroomer, but in the days since his death I have heard from many people in this community who have known him well that the words that keep coming to describe him are kind, dedicated, loyal with a deep love for his family, his community and his brothers and sisters who are in law enforcement,” said Gibbs. 

Clinkunbroomer was shot while in his police car just outside the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station on Saturday, Sept. 16, and was immediately rushed to the Antelope Valley Medical Center, where he later died. The shooting has been deemed an ambush by investigators.

Clinkunbroomer grew up in the Santa Clarita Valley, where he ran cross country and was part of the West Ranch TV program, according to officials. 

KHTS News / Dani Gallegos

Clinkunbroomer not only followed in the footsteps of his father but of his grandfather, great-grandfather and mother, all of whom worked for the LASD. Clinkunbroomer joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 2015. 

Not long after joining, Clinkunbroomer was transferred to the Palmdale station, where he served as a training officer, added officials.

“Ryan will never be forgotten, he will be remembered as our hero just like his father, grandfather and great grandfather and his mother who served with us,” Luna said. 

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.