Shortly after 7:30 a.m., on Friday, July 18, 2025, an explosion occurred at the Los Angeles Co. Sheriff’s Department’s Biscailuz Training Facility in East Los Angeles where, tragically, three Detectives lost their lives. The incident transpired in the parking lot of the Special Enforcement Bureau at the facility. The Detectives were part of LASD’s Arson Explosives Detail, and officials reported that it appeared work was being done to render a device safe before it exploded. 

Detective Victor Lemus joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on July 1, 2003, as a Security Assistant. He completed the Deputy Sheriff Academy as a part of Class 339 in 2003 before he was assigned to Twin Towers Correctional Facility where he ran on the Baker to Vegas running team. Following that, he transferred to Century Station, where he worked as a Senior Training Officer and Detective. At Century Station he continued running on Baker to Vegas teams as an anchor for some of the most difficult legs of the relay race. He transferred to the Special Enforcement Bureau in 2017 where he was assigned as a K-9 Handler prior to becoming an Arson and Explosive Investigator last year. He received commendations for his ability to mentor and train fellow deputies as well as notable arrests involving career criminals. Detective Lemus is survived by his wife, Sheriff’s Department Detective Nancy Lemus and three daughters. He has three sisters who are also on the Department, Sergeant Belen Lemus at Special Victims Bureau, Deputy Perla Lemus at Century Sheriff Station, and Custody Assistant Wendy Lemus of Population and Management Bureau. He is also survived by his brothers Alfredo, Pedro, Juan, and Efren and brother-in-law Sergeant Robert Catalan who is assigned to Carson Station.

Also lost in the line of duty were Detectives Joshua Kelley-Eklund and William Osborn

This incident represents the largest loss of life for the LASD since 1857.