Sergeant Richard J. Helbush, 34, of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office was killed on May 2, 1981 while assisting what he believed were stranded motorists. Shortly after midnight he stopped at a vehicle with a flat tire in an isolated area. As he returned to his patrol car, one occupant, Robert Cox, shot him three times in the back, killing him instantly. The pair then stole Helbush’s wallet, revolver, and patrol car.

Dispatch lost contact with Helbush and other units found his body, prompting a manhunt. A deputy later spotted the stolen patrol car and pursued it; the vehicle crashed into a tree. A shootout followed in which Cox was wounded in the arm and Annika Deasy was taken into custody unharmed. Cox committed suicide by hanging in his jail cell on October 21, 1981. Deasy faced legal proceedings for her role in the crime.

More than 300 uniformed peace officers attended Helbush’s funeral; he was buried at Kelseyville Cemetery. If anyone knew Sergeant Helbush or saw activity near that stretch of roadway on the night of May 2, 1981, please come forward with information.