Tulare County detective Randy Hoppert laid to rest
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A church filled with loved ones, colleagues and community members gathered Tuesday morning to honor Tulare County Sheriff's Detective Randy Hoppert, who died in the line of duty earlier this month.
Hoppert, 36, was remembered during a funeral service marked by trumpet calls, a final radio dispatch and a heavy law enforcement presence.
He was killed April 9 after responding to a call for backup in Porterville, where a suspect fired multiple shots at deputies, authorities said.
"Final call. Detective Randy Hopper that your tour has come to an end..." a dispatcher said during the ceremony, as mourners listened in silence.
Family photos and images from Hoppert's life were shown inside the church, highlighting his love for his faith in Christ, his family and hunting. Speakers described him as energetic, joyful and deeply committed to serving others.
Ashley Hoppert, the detective's pregnant widow, told those in attendance that her husband's actions helped save lives during the hours-long gun battle.
"He told deputies to go get a helmet on and told other deputies to retreat," she said.
Tulare County Sheriff's Office Detective Vigil reflected on Hoppert's sense of calling, quoting scripture during his remarks.
Because of Hoppert's actions, others survived the shooting, speakers said.
In one of the most emotional moments of the service, Ashley Hoppert spoke directly about her husband's character and courage.
"Randy was a warrior, a modern day Viking at heart. His actions spoke louder than words ever could," she said.
She also shared a message she said her husband would have wanted his colleagues to hear.
"Randy is proud of all of you. He would've wanted righteous justice to be done, and it was," she said.
At another point, she offered reassurance to fellow deputies, saying, "There is nothing that you could have done to keep this from happening."
Hoppert was also remembered for his service as a Navy veteran and for his medical skills, colleagues said. Detective Vigil described him as someone whose personality stood out even in a demanding profession.
"If you really want to know Hoppert, you don't start with him. You start with his spirit. He had an energy," Vigil said. "He had a way of making people laugh. In this line of work, that's not a skill -- that's a gift."
Loved ones said they have found comfort in the support from the community since Hoppert's death.
Outside the church, hundreds of first responders lined up in formation, raising a final salute as Hoppert was honored. Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux closed with scripture.
"2nd Corinthians 5-8 'While we grieve here on earth, Randy is in heaven rejoicing,'" Boudreaux said.
Detective Hoppert's sacrifice will be remembered alongside others who have died in the line of duty.
On May 6, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office will honor those lives at its Peace Officers Memorial. Hoppert's name has already been sketched into the memorial.
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