Deputy Sheriff Robert Allan French

Deputy Sheriff Robert Allan French

Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, California

End of Watch Wednesday, August 30, 2017

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Robert Allan French

Deputy Sheriff Bob French was shot and killed outside the Ramada Inn in the 2600 block of Auburn Boulevard while conducting an auto theft investigation at approximately 10:30 am.

Members of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Auto Theft Task Force had just taken two women into custody following a pursuit of a stolen vehicle they had observed leaving the hotel. Task force investigators returned to the hotel room to search it based on the offender's searchable probation status. As two members of the task force knocked on the room's door and announced themselves, a male subject inside opened fire with a rifle, wounding two California Highway Patrol investigators.

The man continued exchanging shots with members of the task force before jumping from the balcony. As he moved from the back to the front of the hotel, he continued exchanging shots with officers. Deputy French had responded to the scene and engaged the subject with gunfire as the man attempted to enter another stolen car. One of the man's rounds went through Deputy French's patrol car, and a fragment struck him in an area not protected by his vest.

Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy French continued to engage the subject to allow other officers to seek cover. The man was able to flee in the stolen car, leading officers on a pursuit before crashing. He exchanged shots with officers again before being taken into custody. The man later died from his wounds sustained during the multiple shootouts.

Deputy French had served with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department for 21 years and was assigned to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Auto Theft Task Force. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and sister.

Patriot Park, located at 6827 Palm Avenue in Fair Oaks, has a Wall of Honor in the back area of the park. Deputy Bobby French is one of several DSA members featured on this wall.

Bio

  • Age 52
  • Tour 21 years
  • Badge 1162

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Rifle
  • Offender Shot and killed

investigation, stolen vehicle

Most Recent Reflection

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Hello my name is Janette Mouck I am very saddened by this terrible loss I was just informed by reading this story after I tryed to locate Agent French for some advise and help with my boyfriends case he is currently fighting ablife sentence in a ridiculous case his is facing life in prison and I found out about the tragic incident regarding one of the best compassionate super wonderful great attitude very efficient very serious humble type of guy Mr Agent French when I first met this awesome man he was very understanding guy and when I first met Agent French was around 2016 when I first met Phillip back in 2016 and I was wanting to help Phillip out by speaking to his Agent in regards to services for Phillip after learning that Phillip had been suffering from mental health thru out his whole young life and there was no one around would help him out except for Agent French so I set up a time to met with Agent French and Agent French agree to meet me this Roseville td office and French went all out to help me help Phillip with the mental services Phillip desperately needed and Agent French took his time to provide the right help for Phillip get the help he should of had gotten the help but because agent French did and thank his he did Phillip’s life would of been so much worse and not by choice me and agent French started communicating and woring together to build a plan to get the help Phillip finally been longing to have and get that help we also got him into see the doctor for the severe sezuires he was having and agent French got him right into the behavioral heath doctor and learn about the condition he was living with and I will never forget what Agent French did and said to me in regards to Phillip agent French said to me that he had three amazing sons and he loved them deeply and he knew and felt poor Phillip had mental having a health issues because he said he been knowing and dealing with Phillip since he was 12 yrs old and he said he saw something good in Phillip and everyone he saw him as a criminal and when Phillip file come across hisndesknhe said he would pick up Phillip’s folder and do what he could he would grab his case and work with Phillip and help him out and grew to like him as if he was his son he said and agent French did work hard with Phillip and I was so grateful to agent French I thanked him and thanked him for all his true genuine hard work and his compassion to help Phillip out because he did not have too because if agent French did not save Phillip them no telling where Phillip would of really been and knowing all this and no one help in as far as his so called family did not even show any remorse he could have a better chance in life and live out his dream as a reg person and not be dislike because of a bad situation that was out of Philip’s control he saw nothing it a good person behind no one caring and did not want to help and get him some medical attention when he did not understand why his health was causing him to act up but not in a violent way he would listen and hang out with people just to be accepted he never would not judge no one and he would be the one to do anything someone would ask him to do he was a the person anyone can ask him to do something and he would do it to fit in with the bad people they would he was a follower and agent French knew the small dumb acts were not his fault he saw what phillip was about and he knew he was not a bad kid just got done dirty and no one cared to do anything and agent french wanted to give to him he chance and he did and it sucks to find out what has happen to such a wonderful person I am very upset about this and I hope god heals his sons and godblesses their future heal and guide them always and heal their hearts and his partner godbless her and everyone that misses and grieves i wanted to ask Mr French if he could write a letter or come to court and tell the court about Phillips background because they were close and I was thinking of Agent French around 2019 when Phillip got out of Prison I was so very proud of Phillip when he was discharged early in April 19 2020 from Parole and my boyfriend Phillip Blackmon which Phillip look up to agent French amd wanted to find out where he was so that Phillip could tell agent French that he was finally off paperwork no more probation no more parole he was so proud of it and i know if agent French were still here he would of been so happy about it but Phillip’s mental health took a real bad turn here lately and needed the help from agent French his advise I know would differently would of take a difference in this case but I know hebisnlookingsown in me and Phillip and wishing us the best of luck and everything will work out I thank you god for the time I got to work beside agent French to help out my boyfriend Phillip Blackmon we are truly going to miss u and we are forever grateful for believing in Phillip when no one would REST IN HEAVEN AGENT FRENCH REST EASY YOU WERE A GREAT OFFICAL THIS WORLD COULD OF WVER HAD

FROM JANETTE MOUCK

IN HONOR OF AGENT FRENCH YOU ARE A HERO GONE BUT NEVER WILL HE EVER BE FORGOTTEN

Janette Mouck
Worked with agent French at Roseville rd Parole office

May 9, 2025

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