Deputy Sheriff Robert Allan French, 52, was killed on August 30, 2017, in Sacramento, California, while responding to an auto theft investigation at the Ramada Inn on Auburn Boulevard. Members of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Auto Theft Task Force had apprehended two women after a pursuit and were searching a hotel room linked to the suspects when a male inside opened fire with a rifle, wounding two California Highway Patrol investigators. The shooter, later identified as Thomas Littlecloud, continued to exchange gunfire with officers.

Deputy French responded and engaged in the shootout; a bullet that penetrated his patrol car struck him in an area not covered by his vest and proved fatal. He continued to return fire, which allowed other officers to seek cover. Littlecloud attempted to flee in another stolen vehicle, led officers on a pursuit, crashed, and kept firing before being taken into custody; he later died of his injuries. Investigators reported Littlecloud had a criminal history and was on probation, and his girlfriend, Priscilla Prendez, was arrested in connection with the case. Deputy French was honored by the community and memorialized on the Wall of Honor at Patriot Park in Fair Oaks.

Are there details from that night or the investigation that readers can add to help build a clearer timeline?