Procession honors fallen Calif. sheriff's deputy

REDDING, Calif. — A somber procession through three counties brought a slain Modoc County deputy to Redding Thursday for an autopsy, as investigators identified a 47-year-old convicted sex offender as his alleged shooter.

Jack Lee Breiner shot and killed deputy Jack Hopkins, 31, Wednesday during a confrontation as Hopkins was responding to a report of a domestic disturbance, Undersheriff William “Tex” Dowdy said during an emotional news conference in Alturas Thursday morning.

Dowdy said Breiner also tried to kill Modoc County Sheriff Mike Poindexter in a shootout after fleeing the scene of Hopkins’ killing, officials said. He said Poindexter managed to shoot Breiner, ending the standoff but not fatally wounding him.

The intentional killing of an on-duty police officer is punishable by the death penalty, Modoc County District Attorney Jordan Funk said. However, he said it’s too early to say what charges Breiner will face.

“It’s conceivable charges could be filed relatively quickly — I don’t whether it would be the end of this week or not,” Funk said. “Much of it has to do with the suspect’s medical condition and when he can appear in court.”

Breiner is a registered sex offender and was convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with a child, according to California’s Megan’s Law database.

Local law enforcement officials met Hopkins’ procession just east of Redding Thursday, falling in behind as it headed into the city and south to the Shasta County Coroner’s Office. Shasta County Undersheriff Eric Magrini said Modoc County officials reached out for assistance because they do not have a forensic pathologist on staff.

Residents and members of other public safety departments lined the streets of town, some saluting, some placing their hands over their hearts as the procession passed. At two points along the way, giant American flags hung from fire engines.

“This is just our way of showing respect for the sacrifice that he’s made and a chance for Redding to show their respect as well,” Redding Police Chief Robert Paoletti said.

Along Lake Boulevard, across from the Walgreens pharmacy, retired Redding police Cpl. Mike Woods, 50, stood at attention as the procession passed him and his “Back the Blue” flag.

His wife, Deneen Woods, 50, said she tried not to focus on the risks of her husband’s job when he was still working.

“You don’t think about it until he comes home,” she said, “and you can breathe again.”

Nine members of the Modoc County Sheriff’s office made the three-hour trip down Thursday.

By 1 p.m., Hopkins’ body arrived at the coroner’s office on Breslauer Way. Shasta and Modoc county officials lined up in front of the coroner’s office and saluted as Hopkins’ body, which was covered in an American flag, was taken away.

Officials exchanged hugs and consoled one another, some shedding tears.

Sgt. Mike Main of the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office said he’d always remember Hopkins as a “guy with the highest level of integrity” and “good moral character.” Hopkins had been with the department for one year. He previously worked for the Alturas Police Department.

“He was a good friend, good law enforcement officer,” he said. “And he meant a lot to all of us and we’re all hurting.”

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