A man killed by sheriff’s deputies in a high desert shootout was himself a former law enforcement officer and beloved friend and neighbor, leaving those who knew him shocked and in disbelief over the turn of events Monday night. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
Deputies responded to a call of shots fired at the unincorporated Apple Valley home of former California Highway Patrol Officer Francis Murphy Rose III, officials with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said.
Investigators say Rose fired at deputies and a sheriff's helicopter before they fired back.
No deputies were hurt and the helicopter was not hit.
Rose was killed, leaving friends in shock Tuesday.
"As long as I've known him he's always been so respectful and so nice," said Gloria Bradley, a close friend.
Rose, 42, was loved by many in the high desert, where he served and protected.
Local
Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
"Just a swell guy," said Michael Mazzola, who was friends with Rose for 25 years. "If you need something he'd be there for you. He'd come out and help or knew someone who could do it for you."
Bradley says Rose was patrolling Highway 40 two years ago when he pulled over a vehicle and was brutally attacked by the driver.
"Beat him down until he was in the hospital," Bradley said. "He had to retire out of highway patrol because of it."
Friends say Rose suffered from severe back problems, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder caused by the beating.
Rose could be difficult at times, neighbors said.
"He tries to intimidate you and if he can't intimidate you he still demands his respect as a CHP officer," said neighbor Danny Farris.
Friends says Rose had been struggling with emotional turmoil and they are devastated over his death.
"I"m sad that it happened and sorry to see him go," Mazzola said.
It's unclear why Rose shot at deputies.
