‘Got what he deserved.’ Leaders react to death of suspect in Tulare deputy killing
Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux garnered praise, and some criticism, for how a 6-hour standoff was handled in Porterville after a suspect, who shot and killed a deputy, was intentionally run over and killed by an armored police vehicle.
During the standoff with law enforcement, David Eric Morales, 59, killed Hoppert and then continued to fire rifle shots at officers at the scene from various jurisdictions. The suspect wore camouflage and darted among three homes, using brush and trees to hide, authorities said. He was eventually killed after an officer intentionally ran him over with a small armored vehicle that Kern County officers brought to the scene.
“He got run over. He got what he deserved,” said Boudreaux.
Clovis Mayor Pro Tem Diane Pearce shared a Fox News post about the situation Thursday on her social media, adding, “Cop killer definitely got what he deserved.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom acknowledged Hoppert’s death via a social media statement, as did FBI Director Kash Patel, Porterville Mayor Greg Meister and Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer.
Other local elected officials, such as Porterville city council member Randy Beltran, also offered praise for Hoppert.
“Deputy Randy Hoppert chose to take on the responsibility of standing between good and evil. He understood the ultimate price that could come and yet courageously stood his ground,” he said. “The price is not fair to his loved ones.”
Thursday evening, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office updated its Facebook profile photo to honor Hoppert, and the comments section was inundated with people expressing support for Hoppert’s family and law enforcement.
Boudreaux reshared the post — along with a slew of others from various media-sharing accounts — on his personal Facebook profile, where he was applauded for his leadership.
Beneath a Fox News post about the incident on X, people questioned the decision to intentionally run the suspect over. Similar, albeit more mixed, reactions were posted under a social media post from ABC7.
Deputies didn’t return fire as Morales shot at them with a rifle during the six-hour standoff, Boudreaux said.
“It makes no sense. He’s not wanted for anything,” Boudreaux said of Morales. “Which beckons, does he have a mental health issue? Was he just becoming violent for unknown — we don’t know. We may never know the answer.”
Hoppert was the first California officer killed in the line of duty in 2026.
This story was originally published April 13, 2026 at 4:55 PM.
