UPDATE: Suspect in Deadly Officer Involved Shooting Killed, Fallen TCSO Deputy Identified
Sheriff Boudreaux has identified the TCSO Deputy shot and killed this morning during an Officer Involved Shooting in Porterville as 35-year-old Randy Hoppert, a six-year-veteran of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.
Around 10:20 a.m. on 4/9/26, TCSO Deputies were in the area Newcomb and Grand in Porterville serving an eviction notice, when 59-year-old David Morales opened fire on them, hitting Deputy Hoppert.
Deputy Hoppert was rushed to a local hospital, where we are heartbroken to confirm, he passed away.
Shortly before 6 p.m. tonight, Sheriff Boudreaux also announced that the suspect, David Morales, was run over and killed by Deputies driving the Kern County Sheriff’s Office SWAT vehicle.
Sheriff Boudreaux, and all of us at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, are shocked and deeply saddened by today’s tragic events. We ask that you keep our Deputy’s grieving family in your prayers