Deputy Darnell Calhoun was a committed and dedicated peace officer. He was a committed and dedicated family man – a husband, father, son, and brother. His loved ones say he was “an inspiration.” He was “genuine, kind, loyal, and had the heart of a servant.” In short, he was a gift.

Darnell was the father of two children, with one more on the way, at the time of his death. That child will never know first-hand the love and comfort of his dad – his caregiver, his protector. On January 13, 2023, Deputy Calhoun was the first to respond to a report of a child custody dispute likely involving domestic violence. As he approached the Lake Elsinore home, the suspect fired multiple rounds at him. Deputy Calhoun was shot and transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. He was just 30 years old and had been with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) for only 11 months. He had previously served with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) for two years. Deputy Calhoun was assigned to the Lake Elsinore station when he was murdered.

At Deputy Calhoun’s memorial service, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco addressed the crowd. Sheriff Bianco recounted a conversation he had with Darnell, asking why he wanted to leave the SDPD and join the RCSO. “He responded that his commute was too long and he wanted to spend that time with his family,” Bianco said. “With that answer, I knew we had hired a good one.” Bianco went on to say that Darnell was “the most good, wholesome man you could ever imagine.” Darnell’s pregnant wife did not speak at the ceremony, but she posted on Facebook the night before that he always made sure his children “knew how much you loved them” and “I know that the love you have shown them will sustain them through this life.”

The family restaurant, Calhoun’s Family Texas Barbecue in Murrieta, became a gathering place for the community after Darnell’s passing. Darnell worked at the restaurant for eight years before beginning his law enforcement career. His father says Darnell’s personality made him the perfect person to work the front. He loved to laugh with customers. Community members, both friends and strangers, visited Calhoun’s bringing cards, flowers, and banners showing their love and support. On September 28, 2023, a portion of Interstate-15 in Lake Elsinore was designated as Deputy Darnell Andrew Calhoun Memorial Highway.    

Deputy Darnell Calhoun will be remembered as a hero – a man who responded selflessly to a call for help. His family relies on their faith to get through this difficult time and says they know they will one day be reunited with Darnell. They “take great comfort in knowing that Darnell led a life well lived.” His loved ones are grateful to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement agencies across the nation that have uplifted them since his passing. Darnell’s family says, “His life, though cut short, is a blessing.”