A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy who was severely injured in a mobile shooting range fire in October has died, his attorney confirmed to KTLA.
Alfredo “Freddy” Flores passed away Saturday night after fighting for his life for months, attorney Joe A. Nunez said on behalf of the Flores family.
“Freddy valiantly fought for his life after sustaining severe injuries in the line of duty,” Nunez said. “Freddy was an amazing husband, father, son and brother…he loved working for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and dedicated his life to serving and protecting our community.”
The training accident occurred on Oct. 10, 2023, at Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic, one of the custody facilities at the North County Correctional Facility.
According to Nunez’s statement on behalf of Flores’ family, the cause of the fire was “the malfunction of equipment during a training drill.”
“While law enforcement officers and their families are acutely aware of the inherent risks associated with the position, nothing could have prepared us for his untimely departure due to injuries stemming from the malfunction of equipment during a training drill,” Nunez said. “Freddy’s loss is a devastating blow, and we are struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable tragedy.”
In a statement issued late Sunday morning, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said the department was “devastated” at the loss of a “well-respected” deputy who worked at the North County Correctional Facility, the Altadena sheriff’s station and Court Services West Bureau over his 22-year tenure with LASD.
“[Flores] was well-respected in the department and in the community, and his passing will leave a huge void in the hearts of many who knew him,” Sheriff Luna said. “We lost a valued member of our department who served his community for 22 years with dedication and pride.”
LASD’s Psychological Services Bureau is providing support and resources to Flores’ family in the wake of his death, officials said.