A member of the San Dimas Aquatics family was one of the three L.A. County Sherriff’s Department detectives who were killed in an explosion at a training facility last week. The explosion happened around 7:30 AM on Friday morning.
Detective Victor Lemus has two daughters, Emily and Victoria, who are both age group swimmers for San Dimas Aquatics. He also had a third daughter, Alexis.
In an Instagram post, San Dimas remembered Victor’s presence with the team.
“Though quiet, Vic’s presence was deeply felt—always watching over our swimmers with steady strength and unwavering support for the San Dimas Aquatics family,” the post reads.
“Whether cheering for his daughters and our team poolside or stepping in with a helping hand, Vic gave wholeheartedly to our swim family. His gentle strength, kindness, and subtle sense of humor left a meaningful and lasting impression on everyone who knew him.”
Lemus was one of three detectives who was killed in the blast. The other two were Joshua Kelley-Eklund and William Osborn. Local authorities described them as members of the Special Enforcement Bureau’s Arson Explosives Detail, an elite unit in the Sherriff’s department that investigates more than 1000 cases a year. The three had a collective 74 years of service and leave behind 16 children.
The department is still investigating, but says that it appears that the detectives were moving explosives on a cart in the parking lot of the training center when the explosion occurred. Authorities said that the detectives believed that the devices were inert. Some reports have connected the explosion to an investigation at a nearby Santa Monica apartment complex, but that has not been confirmed by local officials.
Read more about the incident from the Associated Press here.
Arrangements for Lemus have not yet been announced.
This is heartbreaking! In the picture, he looks like a kid. Prayers to his family and friends.