Riverside police search for gunman who killed officer

Authorities in Riverside are still looking for the truck driver believed to have shot and killed a police officer late Sunday. The suspect gunned down Riverside police officer Ryan Bonaminio during a foot chase through a local park.

The shooting happened after officer Bonaminio pulled over a big truck, allegedly involved in a hit-and-run crash. Authorities say the truck’s driver fled on foot leading Bonaminio on a chase through a park near downtown Riverside. Backup officers heard gunfire & found Bonaminio wounded at the scene. The alleged gunman apparently fled in his truck, which was not pulling a trailer at the time.

The 27-year-old officer was rushed to a hospital & died. Police have not identified the suspect and have only provided a vague description of a man wearing dark clothes. The investigation led to the temporary closure of a Walmart distribution center. It’s not clear if that was the alleged gunman’s destination. A large section of Fairmount Park was cordoned off with yellow police tape and roadblocks as investigators combed the crime scene.

Ryan Bonaminio graduated from Ramona High School in Riverside ten years ago. He was with the police department for four years. Bonamino joined the U.S. Army after graduating high school. He served two tours of duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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“Officer Bonaminio’s tragic death is a reminder of us all in the law enforcement family that the supreme sacrifice of our service is also a cost borne by our loved ones…and our community,” said Riverside police chief Sergio Diaz in a statement.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also issued a statement.

“Officer Bonaminio went above and beyond the call of duty his entire life, first serving in uniform to defend our nation's freedoms and here at home to protect the people of Riverside,” said Schwarzenegger. “His courage and dedication in the line of duty will be remembered forever."

Flags outside Riverside Police headquarters were lowered to half-staff.

Bonaminio is the first Riverside police officer to be killed in the line of duty in 9 years, and the second Southern California lawman killed on the job in the past two weeks.

On Monday evening, Bonaminio’s body was escorted by dozens of police squad cars from the Riverside County coroner's office in Perris to Acheson-Graham Garden of Prayer mortuary in Riverside.