MADERA COUNTY, Calif. — A Chowchilla Police officer was killed in an on-duty traffic collision, KFSN reported.
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According to the California Highway Patrol, Officer Ray Barrantes was driving eastbound on Highway 152 when his vehicle collided with the right side of a semi-truck crossing Road 13. He died at the scene.
CHP is leading the investigation and offered condolences to Barrantes’ family and fellow officers.
“It’s a very tragic accident and a reminder that officers put their lives on the line to serve the community,” said CHP spokesperson Sergio Moreno.
In response to the incident, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office temporarily took over calls for Chowchilla Police as the department mourned the loss, according to the report.
Chowchilla Police Chief Jeff Palmer called the death devastating.
“These are the calls you never want to get,” he said.
Barrantes, a Dos Palos native, began his law enforcement career with the Mendota Police Department and later worked in West Sacramento before joining Chowchilla PD, according to the report. He lived in Chowchilla with his three children and operated a small business, On Point Apparel.
Chief Palmer said Barrantes was a respected officer who served as a mentor to younger colleagues.
“I know he had a really strong relationship with some of our younger officers and mentoring them. And he just brought a maturity to us and that experience. It’s going to be greatly missed,” Palmer said.
Flowers were placed outside the police department and flags were lowered to half-staff in Barrantes’ honor. Barrantes’ death marks the Chowchilla Police Department’s line of duty death.
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