The early morning silence in East Los Angeles shattered Friday when an explosion rocked a sheriff's department training facility, claiming the lives of three longtime deputies.

Three highly experienced members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's arson and explosives unit were killed in what investigators suspect may have been a training accident at the Biscailuz Center Academy, as the New York Post reports.

The deadly incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. at the academy, located in East Los Angeles. The facility, used for law enforcement training, became the site of tragedy when a blast erupted in a parking lot where law enforcement vehicles, including patrol cars and box trucks, were parked.

Authorities say the three deputies killed were all part of the Special Enforcement Bureau’s Arson Explosives Detail -- an elite team that responds to approximately 1,000 calls per year. No other injuries were reported, but the explosion represents one of the darkest days in the agency’s history.

Longtime police veterans lost

The fallen deputies were identified Friday as Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund, who had served for 19 years; Detective Victor Lemus, who served for 22 years; and Detective William Osborn, who had dedicated 33 years of his life to the department. Together, they embodied a combined 74 years of law enforcement experience.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna described the men as “fantastic experts” during a press briefing following the incident. With emotion in his voice, Luna said, “Unfortunately, I lost three of them today.”

Luna also confirmed he personally met with the families of two of the three deputies. “Those were extremely challenging conversations,” he said, adding, “We lost three lives, and we want to make sure what happened.”

Deadliest day for department since 1857

The sheriff’s office has not experienced a single incident with this level of loss since 1857, when four deputies were shot to death during duty. The magnitude of Friday’s tragedy struck a deep chord throughout the department and across California.

Deputy Jason Zavala, a member of the department’s SWAT team, reflected on the dangers of the profession. “When you sign up for the job, you know it’s going to be a dangerous job,” he said. “As the years go on, you realize how dangerous it is.”

Although the precise cause of the explosion remains uncertain, early indications suggest it may have occurred during a training exercise involving explosives. Investigators are working to determine the exact sequence of events.

Federal agencies join multi-agency probe

An investigation is being coordinated by LASD homicide detectives, with support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The scene was finally declared safe nearly four hours after the initial blast.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that federal agencies were actively supporting the investigation. “We have FBI and [ATF] agents on the ground,” she wrote, urging the public to pray for the entire Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom also offered condolences and recognized the gravity of the loss. “Three members of the [Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department] lost their lives in the line of duty – serving with courage and honor,” he posted, adding that the state would always remember their sacrifice.

Lessons to learn from this tragedy

1. Proper safety procedures must be continually reviewed, even by experts. The tragedy highlights the need for constant evaluation of training protocols, regardless of how experienced the personnel involved may be. Ensuring all best practices are followed could help minimize risks in hazardous training environments.

2. Emergency response training should include unexpected scenarios. Training facilities must prepare units to handle potential accidents that may arise, even in controlled conditions. Regular audits, drills, and contingency planning can add extra layers of safety.

3. No profession is without risk, and we must support those who serve. Understanding the dangers first responders face daily should increase public appreciation and support for them. However, it's also crucial to remember that even with precautions, unforeseen tragedies can happen to anyone, and no victim should ever be blamed for the risks they endure in service to their community.

Why this story matters

This story underscores the immense sacrifices made by law enforcement personnel, even while training to keep the public safe. It raises important questions about the procedures in place at law enforcement training facilities. Most importantly, it reminds us to value and support those who dedicate their lives to protecting others.

The deaths of Deputies Kelley-Eklund, Lemus, and Osborn leave a painful void in the Sheriff’s Department and the wider Los Angeles community. Their expertise, dedication, and bravery will not be forgotten. As the days unfold, investigators will continue seeking answers to help prevent future tragedies of this nature.