At approximately 10:20am on Thursday, April 9, 2026, Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputies were serving an eviction notice in the area of Newcomb and Grand in Porterville, when a suspect opened fire on them. Detective Randy Hoppert was struck, and after a tactical rescue rushed to Sierra View Medical Center. Despite all live saving measures, Detective Hoppert tragically lost his life at 11:57am.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene including Porterville, Visalia, Delano and Tulare Police Departments, Sheriff’s Departments from Kern and Fresno counties, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter. The suspect fired into the windshield of a Visalia PD BearCat and escaped the home. Dressed in camouflage and armed with a rifle, he hid in the brush. Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux later confirmed the suspect, 59-year-old David Morales, was ultimately run over by a law enforcement BearCat vehicle and killed after continuing to pose a threat.

Detective Randy Hoppert, age 35, served in the U.S. Navy from 2010 to 2015 and joined the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office on January 5, 2020. He is survived by a loving family including his wife who is four months pregnant. His grandfather previously served as a Tulare County Undersheriff.

“We did a final salute in honor of him and allowed the wife and Mom to say their last regard in that moment…it’s a very emotional time,” said Sheriff Mike Boudreaux.