CAMINO, Calif. — A community fundraising campaign has been launched to support two El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office deputies who were seriously wounded in a shooting while responding to a call in Camino on March 12.
The El Dorado County Deputy Sheriff’s Association announced the official PORAC Fund a Hero campaign, seeking to raise $60,000 to help cover medical care, rehabilitation and family support for the injured deputies. As of 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 13, donations had reached about $3,110.
According to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 7:25 a.m. when a Pacific Gas & Electric contract crew reported they were being shot at while replacing a power pole in the 700 block of Mountain View Drive. One worker was struck and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Deputies responded to the scene and identified a male suspect inside a nearby residence. Authorities said patrol deputies and a SWAT team spent roughly three hours attempting to de-escalate the situation and establish contact with the barricaded individual.
At approximately 11:25 a.m., an officer-involved shooting occurred during efforts to resolve the standoff. Two deputies and the suspect were struck during the exchange of gunfire.
Both deputies sustained significant injuries and remain hospitalized but in stable condition as of March 13. Their identities have not been publicly released because they are undergoing multiple procedures at a trauma center.
The suspect was also transported by air ambulance to a regional hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
Investigators from multiple agencies, including the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office and regional law enforcement partners, are reviewing the incident under the county’s Critical Incident Protocol. Officials said the scene was processed by March 13 and there are no outstanding suspects or ongoing threats to the public.
In a statement accompanying the fundraising campaign, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association emphasized the personal impact of the incident on the community.
“These aren’t just officers — they are our neighbors, our friends, and our family members who go to work every day to keep our county safe,” the association said.
The association said the deputies now face a long and difficult recovery, including extensive rehabilitation and specialized medical care. Families may also face financial strain due to lost income, travel expenses and potential home modifications required for long-term recovery.
“Every contribution, no matter the size, goes directly to the deputies and their families,”
the association said.
Support for the injured deputies has poured in from residents and law enforcement agencies across California and the nation. Officials say updates on the deputies’ conditions and the investigation are being shared through the sheriff’s office social media channels.
Community members wishing to contribute can do so through the official PORAC Fund a Hero campaign organized by the El Dorado County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
