Marysville Police Officer Osmar Rodarte Fatally Shot While Serving Search Warrant in Olivehurst
OLIVEHURST, CA — A Marysville police officer was fatally shot while serving a search warrant in connection with a transnational narcotics trafficking investigation yesterday morning, according to authorities.
The fallen officer has been identified as Osmar Rodarte, 27.
Police say that, just before 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, officers from multiple police agencies were carrying out a search warrant on Kestrel Court in Olivehurst.
This was one of 20 warrants being served across Yuba, Sutter, Tehema, and Butte counties, in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged trafficking of meth and fentanyl from Mexico, according to authorities.
Officers made entry into the home and reportedly exchanged gunfire with the suspect, during which Rodarte was struck by the suspect. He later died of his wounds at an area hospital.
Yuba County District Attorney Clint Curry and Yuba County Sheriff Wendell Anderson both stated during a press conference Wednesday that the suspect died at the scene.
Curry also stated that it appears the suspect was killed by police gunfire, but this has yet to be officially confirmed.
“We lost an officer today who was near and dear to our hearts,” Marysville Police Chief Christian Sachs said during the conference. Sachs added that Rodarte had been a U.S. Army veteran and had been with the Marysville police force for two years.
Authorities also stated during the conference that more information about the shooting is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
So far, the identity of the deceased suspect has not been released.
Another person who was present at the home on Kestrel Court was also detained, but later released. That individual is being treated as a witness and is not considered a suspect, according to Curry.
A procession for Officer Rodarte has been scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 27, from the Lakeside Chapel on D Street in Marysville to Placer County.
Above: Photo of Officer Rodarte shared by Marysville PD
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Full Press Conference Video – Courtesy of KCRA News via YouTube
