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Slain El Dorado deputy 'never had a bad day,' was always positive | Who was Deputy Brian Ishmael

Known for his kindness and positivity, Deputy Brian Ishmael's killing marks a tragic day and loss for the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif — The death of Deputy Brian Ishmael marked the first line of duty death for the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office since 1991. Sheriff John D'Agostini referred to Oct. 23, 2019, as a day where the county lost one of its heroes.

Ishmael was killed responding to a call for service in the Somerset area, where there had been a theft from a marijuana garden at a home reported. The deputy immediately came under fire and was killed. 

RELATED: El Dorado deputy shot, killed was responding to call of theft at marijuana farm, sheriff says | UPDATE

Ishmael is remembered for his kindness and positivity, traits he shared with others as he protected communities in both the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office and the Placerville Police Department.

"He was personable, easy to talk to, kind and always positive. He never had a bad day. He was a loving father and husband," said Sheriff D'Agostini.

He graduated from Ponderosa High School in 2000, and, even in his youth, he made a lasting impression. 

Credit: abc10kxtv
This high school year book photo shows a young Brian Ishmael. Ishmael would join two law enforcement agencies before being killed in the line of duty.

Sandra Campbell, his former bus driver, said he was "always a leader, never a follower." 

Campbell, who watched him grow up from elementary to middle school, remembers him as a young man that never got in trouble and tried to do the right thing.

Ishmael's journey into law enforcement came as no surprise to her.

He spent two years with the Placerville Police Department and four years with the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office.

Ishmael leaves behind a wife and three children. In solidarity, his former high school has lowered their flag to half-staff.

RELATED: 6 local police and firefighters who have fallen in the line duty in 2018

Credit: abc10 kxtv
Flags at Ponderosa High School are at half-staff as a community mourns the death of El Dorado County Deputy Brian Ishmael.

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