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Father And Son Deputies Killed In The Line Of Duty On The Same Day 26 Years Apart

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A deputy killed Friday in the line of duty died on the same day as his father, a Riverside County deputy who also died while working, 26 years ago to the day.

It's being called a tragic twist of fate.

Michael Davis Jr. was killed in Northern California, one of two deputies killed in shootings that stretched 30 miles across Sacramento and Placer counties.

KCAL9's Laurie Perez reports that on this day, Michael Davis Sr. was killed in Riverside County.

"It's a cruel echo," Perez reported, "the Davis men – senior and junior – shared a name, a career and a tragic ending."

"Just really mad. This guy was on a one-man crime spree. He has no idea of the damage he did," said Dena Erwin with the Placer County Sheriff's Department regarding Friday's path of destruction.

The crime spree started Friday morning.

The suspect shot one deputy in the forehead at point-blank range as the deputy was checking out a vehicle in a motel parking lot.

The gunmen fled with a female, then shot another driver in the head.

The suspect was armed with a pistol and a rifle, authorities said.

The gunman then shot two more deputies after stealing a second vehicle. One deputy is expected to survive.

Michael Davis Jr. died of his wounds.

"Michael is 42-years-old," said Placer County Sheriff Ed Bonner. "He'd have been 43 next Wednesday."

Davis Sr. was working a joint operation to stop drug smugglers when the California Army National Guard helicopter he was riding in crashed.

For a Riverside police officer visiting a memorial dedicated to fallen law enforcement members, the coincidence is sobering.

"It's a remarkable coincidence but a tragic one," says Ryan Railsback of the Riverside Police Department, "to have your father killed in the line of duty, with the Riverside Sheriff's Department, 26 years earlier, to the day, as the son did, unfortunately."

Davis Jr. is survived by his wife and four children.

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