Marle Salazar, the 29-year-old’s mother, said her son was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia about five years ago. She said she’s had to call law enforcement at least twice when he’s become too aggressive and hears voices after not taking his medication. It wasn’t clear if investigators believe his mental illness was related to the shooting.

Luna said Monday the suspect’s mental health doesn’t change the tragedy of losing a deputy.

“If I had to go to your family and tell them that you were not coming home and you were just murdered, [it] doesn’t matter what the person was thinking or their condition,” Luna said.

Clinkunbroomer joined the department eight years ago and had been based at the Palmdale station since 2018. For the last 18 months, he worked as a field training officer, a position that Luna said was for the “best of the best.” Clinkunbroomer’s family was steeped in law enforcement, and he was the third generation to work for the Sheriff’s Department.

Luna said that four days before his death, the deputy had proposed to his fiancee.

“His father served with us. His grandfather served with us,” Luna said. “He had so much ahead of him, and this coward, or cowards, took his life while he was sitting at a red light, waiting to serve his community.”

The Assn. of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs called for the person responsible to face the full extent of prosecution. Luna said that he spoke with the district attorney’s office Monday morning and was assured that “they will aggressively pursue this case.”

“Ryan’s death is a blow to our law enforcement family, many of whom knew and loved both Ryan and his family,” the association said in a statement.

The association’s C.A.R.E.S. Foundation will be giving all donations for the next 30 days to Clinkunbroomer’s family.

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