Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies mourned on Monday the loss of a colleague and mother who authorities said was killed Sunday night by her firefighter husband, who later committed suicide.
Cecilia Hoschet, 32, worked at the Inmate Reception Center of the Los Angeles County Jail, Sheriff Jim McDonnell said. She served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for two years, having begun her career as a civilian. Her 6-year-old son is in the care of relatives.
"We lost a wonderful deputy last night," McDonnell said. "Deputy Cecilia Hoschet impressed everyone she met at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department with her positive and helpful approach to her work. She enjoyed being a deputy and really liked people. She leaves behind a 6-year-old son, whom she loved dearly. She will be missed."
She was killed in her La Canada Flintridge home by her husband, identified as Los Angeles County firefighter/paramedic James M. Taylor, said Capt. Keith Mora of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
After killing her, Taylor fled to a county fire facility in Pacoima where he fatally shot himself in a government vehicle, officials said. Taylor had been with the department for six years and was assigned to the Pacoima warehouse facility, Mora said.
The couple's 6-year-old son is believed to have been home at the time of the shooting, but the father later dropped the child off at a relative's home, sheriff's Lt. Dave Coleman said during a news conference.
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While on scene, Sheriff's homicide detectives were notified by Los Angeles police that the body of a man with a fatal gunshot wound, apparently self-inflicted, has been found in a county vehicle outside a Los Angeles County Fire Department facility in Pacoima, he said.
The body was determined to be Taylor's. A weapon was recovered at the scene in Pacoima, said Deputy Mike Barraza with the Sheriff's Information Bureau.
"Today is a sad day for all public safety personnel in Los Angeles County. On behalf of the entire fire department, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends facing the pain of loss," said LACFD Chief Daryl L. Osby. "Our thoughts are with everyone who was impacted by this tragedy. As we continue to learn more, we thank all of the entities involved for their assistance and will continue to support our brothers and sisters in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department."
Heartbroken friends left candles and flowers outside the home on Monday night.
An online fundraiser has been set up for Hoschet. Anyone wishing to donate can do so here.
City News Service contributed to this report.