Holly MatkinElk Grove, CA – Elk Grove Police Department (EGPD) Officer Tyler “Ty” Lenehan was killed in the line of duty on Jan. 21 after an alleged drunk driver crashed into his police motorcycle.
Officer Lenehan was on his way to work at the time of the collision, KTXL reported.
The series of events leading to the 44-year-old officer’s death began at approximately 5:13 a.m., when the California Highway Patrol (CHP) received a report of a wrong-way driver traveling in the southbound lanes of SR-99 near 47th Avenue, the EGPD said in a press release.
As troopers were responding to the area, a 911 caller reported the wrong-way driver crashed into a police motorcycle near 12th Avenue.
Officer Lenehan was ejected from the motorcycle during the collision, KTXL reported.
The Sacramento Fire Department and CHP officers arrived at the scene and immediately began performing life-saving measures on Officer Lenehan before he was rushed to UC Davis Medical Center, according to the press release.
“Despite efforts from UC Davis medical staff, Officer Ty Lenehan succumbed to the injuries sustained as a result of the collision,” the EGPD said.
The alleged driver of the 2016 Dodge Challenger that collided with the motorcycle officer was found walking away from the scene of the deadly crash when police arrived, KTXL reported.
He was apprehended and identified as 31-year-old Jermaine Walton, according to investigators.
“While on scene, Walton displayed objective signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication,” the CHP said in a Facebook post.
Walton was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of an alcoholic beverage at the time of the crash, as well as multiple “felony DUI related charges,” the CHP said.
The highway patrol’s Valley Division Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team is handling the ongoing investigation into the fatal collision.
“The South Sacramento CHP office sends its thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of the fallen officer and wish strength and healing to the Elk Grove Police Department during their time of need,” the CHP said.
Officer Lenehan served five years in the U.S. Air Force before joining the Citrus Heights Police Department as a reserve officer, the EGPD said in the press release.
He subsequently worked for the Galt Police Department for two years, then hired on at the EGPD in 2016.
Officer Lenehan had been working as a motor officer since 2020.
“Officer Ty Lenehan took pride in serving his community, and his work ethic was recognized by all who worked alongside him,” the department said. “Officer Lenehan’s service will never be forgotten. His positive attitude, infectious smile, and bright personality will forever be missed.”
Elk Grove Police Chief Timothy Albright said the entire community is mourning the loss of the beloved officer.
“This is an incredibly sad day for the Elk Grove Police Department and the Elk Grove community,” Chief Albright said. “We grieve for Ty’s family, our law enforcement family, and the Elk Grove community.”
Officer Lenehan leaves behind his wife, Jessica, and his children, Sydney and Austin, his family said in a statement posted to the EGPH’s Facebook page.
He is also survived by his parents and three siblings.
“Ty was a bright light of personality in our family,” the statement read. “While we are deeply saddened as we mourn the loss of such a great person, we have been lifted by the support from the Elk Grove Police Department, the Sacramento Police Department, the Governor, and our Sacramento community.”
“We appreciate the many condolences, the outpouring of love, and the support from the community at large,” the Lenehan family said. “We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the first responders and hospital staff who immediately attended to Ty’s injuries.”
(1/3) Statement from the Lenehan Family:
Our family is deeply heartbroken and devastated by the tragic loss of our husband, father, son and brother. Ty is survived by his wife, Jessica, two children Austin and Sydney, his parents and three siblings. pic.twitter.com/23fEX1iixs
— EGPD (@ElkGrovePD) January 23, 2022
🔹 Blessed Are The Peacemakers 🔹
Police Officer Tyler Lenehan
Elk Grove Police Department, California
EOW: Friday, January 21, 2022#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/ZR1BMcGWSf
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) January 24, 2022
Elk Grove Officers escort the body of a police officer killed this morning on his way to work in a crash with a wrong way driver pic.twitter.com/LM3OQaMv6x
— Karma Dickerson (@karmadfox40) January 21, 2022
Our office sends condolences and joins with those mourning the death of Elk Grove Police Officer Tyler “Ty” Lenehan who was killed in the line of duty. pic.twitter.com/iP2aWGbxTP
— Riverside County DA's Office (@RivCoDA) January 23, 2022
We stand with the members of the @ElkGrovePD as they mourn the loss of one of their own.
Officer Tyler Lenehan was killed when his police motorcycle was struck head-on by a drunk driver.
Ofc. Lenehan had served the City of Elk Grove for 6 years and was a @usairforce veteran. pic.twitter.com/5ErIbS2Yjr
— San Francisco Police (@SFPD) January 23, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Elk Grove Police Department Officer Tyler “Ty” Lenehan, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
