California Sheriff’s Deputy Dies After Being Brutally Attacked, Police Say

A veteran sheriff’s deputy has died after crashing into a car while off duty and being attacked by the other driver.

Lawrence “Larry” Falce, 70, was off duty New Year’s Eve day in San Bernardino County when he was involved in a minor collision around 11 a.m., the Sheriff’s Employees’ Benefits Association (SEBA) said in a statement.

Falce approached the other car and was brutally beaten, the association said.

He was taken to a hospital but never regained consciousness, dying on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

San Bernardino police said they have a suspect in custody but would not identify the person because of the ongoing investigation, reported Fox News.

The attack holds many unanswered questions, SEBA said in its statement. “We want to see justice done for our member, who did not deserve this violent attack,” it said.

Falce was a 36-year veteran of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and an Army veteran, according to the sheriff’s department. He prided himself as being a lifelong public servant, who cared deeply about his profession, it said.

The department described Falce as a man who was “loved by his peers and the community members he served.”

SEBA President Sgt. Grant Ward said: “Larry was a hardworking, dedicated professional, who loved his job as a deputy sheriff. I worked with him and I can tell you his commitment to this profession was second to none. He was generous to all those he cared about and gave willingly from the bottom of his heart.”