A 50-mile funeral procession from Murrieta to Rancho Cucamonga is scheduled for slain Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Darnell Calhoun on Saturday, Jan. 21.
The public is invited to line the streets, but the interment will be private, a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department news release states. It was not immediately clear Thursday morning, Jan. 19, if the funeral service is public.
Before the procession, a public viewing is set for Friday, Jan. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Murrieta Valley Funeral Home, 24651 Washington Ave., Murrieta.
About 8 a.m. Saturday, the procession will move from the funeral home to Abundant Living Family Church, 10900 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. and be livestreamed on the Riverside County Sheriff’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Calhoun, who was assigned to the Lake Elsinore station in 2022, was shot and killed Friday, Jan. 13. He was responding to a call of possible domestic violence when authorities said Jesse Navarro,42, shot Calhoun. The 30-year-old deputy was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Before his assignment in Riverside County, Calhoun worked for the San Diego Police Department.
Riverside County sheriff’s and San Diego police emergency vehicles will escort the body of Calhoun from the mortuary to the church.
The funeral will follow vigils that the Murrieta and Lake Elsinore communities held this week to honor Calhoun. Hundreds gathered for two consecutive nights.
Community fundraisers for the Calhoun Family also are underway.
A Go Fund Me page for the Calhoun family restaurant, Calhoun’s Family Texas Barbecue, has almost tripled its goal of $10,000. A second fundraiser is being organized by the Riverside County Deputy Sheriff’s Relief Foundation. Also, some McDonald’s franchises in southwest Riverside County will donate a portion of sales Friday to the deputy’s family.
