Tributes have been pouring in for a rookie California police officer who was gunned down Thursday night. Natalie Corona, 22, was only sworn into her job at the David Police Department last August. Police announced that she was shot when responding to a three-car collision outside Sacramento. Despite being rushed to UC Davis Medical Center for emergency treatment, she later died from her wounds.
According to WPVI-TV, Officer Corona had only just completed the department’s field training program and had been out on the streets for about two weeks when the tragic incident occurred.
KTVU-TV anchor Frank Somerville posted a moving tribute to Corona, noting that the caption of a picture she posted of herself on social media summed up just how proud she was to be a police officer.
“I would like this photograph to serve as my gratitude for all those law enforcement men and woman who have served, who are currently serving, and those who have died in the line of duty protecting our liberties in this great country,” she wrote, alongside the picture below.
“Again I’m just at a loss for words,” Somerville continued. “22 years old. She’d only been on the force for five months. And now she’s become yet another officer killed in the line of duty It’s sickening.”
Corona’s father, Merced Corona, worked in law enforcement for 26 years, and, according to a local report in the Williams Pioneer Review, even had the honor of pinning his daughter’s badge last August.
“We are extremely proud of Natalie and all her accomplishments at such a young age,” Merced Corona told the newspaper at the time. “She is very excited to be a police officer and is very dedicated to the profession of law enforcement.”
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At a press conference, Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel said that Corona was “a rising star in the department.”
“I’ve heard her described by our officers tonight as our daughter, our friend, and just a sister that we all wanted. This is just an absolutely devastating loss to the police department,” he added, as reported by CBS News.
JUST IN: Sad to report…22 year-old rookie police officer Natalie Corona was shot to death after responding to a car crash in #Davis. She’s the daughter of a cop and was on the job for only a few weeks. #RIP @cityofdavispd @CityofDavis pic.twitter.com/SrdOeJckkE
— Raj Mathai (@rajmathai) January 11, 2019
According to KOVR-TV, a city-wide manhunt was launched to try and apprehend the suspect.
#Breaking SWAT team an K-9 units searching for gunman in Downtown Davis following Officer Involved Shooting. pic.twitter.com/hdg89YmEeE
— stevelarge (@largesteven) January 11, 2019
Early this morning, Davis Police confirmed that the suspect was discovered deceased inside a home near the corner of 5th and E streets in Davis.
**UPDATE**
The shooter has been found, deceased, inside a home near 5th and E St in Davis with what appears to be a self inflicted gunshot wound.— Davis Police Department (@cityofdavispd) January 11, 2019
Do pray for all of Officer Corona’s friends and family at this incredibly painful time.