Two Santa Cruz Detectives Killed in the Line of Duty

"Both detectives were killed at the doorstep of Goulet's home" - Santa Cruz County Sheriff Phil Wowak

Sgt. Loran "Butch" Baker and Det. Elizabeth Butler. Courtesy: San Jose Mercury News

(SANTA CRUZ) - Two officers from the Santa Cruz police Department were killed Tuesday, leaving this coastal California city stunned and in mourning.

Jeremy Goulet

A spokesperson for from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff/Coroner's Office which is investigating the case, told Salem-News that a press release will be issued shortly.

The details are few at this point, we know that Tuesday afternoon, Sgt. Loran "Butch" Baker and Det. Elizabeth Butler were at the home of 37-year-old Jeremy Goulet asking questions about a report that he made unwanted sexual advances toward a coworker. Goulet worked at a coffee shop in Santa Cruz, he was fired last week and reportedly had been the subject of numerous contacts with law enforcement in the past.

ABC World News talked to Santa Cruz County Sheriff Phil Wowak, who says the detectives were shot to death as they knocked on Goulet's front door.

"What we do know is what was left in the aftermath," Wowak said. "Both detectives were killed at the doorstep of Goulet's home."

Goulet disarmed Sgt. Baker and Det. Butler and fled the scene, leaving their bodies on his doorstep. Police say Goulet stole one of the detectives' cars and left the scene, but was quickly located in by responding officers.

This is when a gun fight on the Santa Cruz boardwalk. People fled and took cover, bullets struck a fire engine multiple times, firefighters used their bodies to shield civilians in the area, and Goulet was shot to death.

Police say they recovered three handguns on Goulet, two of which were believed to have been the guns he stole from the officers. Goulet also was wearing a bulletproof vest.

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Expresses Condolences over Deaths of Two Santa Cruz Police Officers

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris expressed her condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of two members of the Santa Cruz Police Department, who died last night in the line of duty:

“On behalf of the California Department of Justice, I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of Sergeant Loren "Butch" Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler. These dedicated law enforcement professionals, who died in brave service to the people of California, will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones, and with the Santa Cruz Police Department.”

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Phil Wowak asks that anyone with information relay it to 831 454-2311.