Adel Sambrano Ramos: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Adel Sambrano Ramos

Facebook/Sacramento Police Adel Sambrano Ramos

Adel Sambrano Ramos is accused of being the suspected shooter of Sacramento Police Officer Tara O’Sullivan, who was killed while responding to a domestic incident, the Sacramento Police Department has confirmed.

“On Thursday, June 20, 2019, at 5:55 a.m., the Sacramento Police Department booked 45-year-old Adel Sambrano Ramos on charges relating to the murder of Sacramento Police Officer Tara O’Sullivan,” police wrote in a release through their Twitter page. They also released a mugshot of the suspect, which you can see above, on right, along with a picture from his Facebook page.

“It is with a broken heart that we have to share with all of you that earlier today we lost one of our own. While on a call for service in North Sacramento, Officer Tara O’Sullivan was shot and killed. She gave her young life while protecting our community,” Sacramento police wrote. “Our hearts are with Tara’s family, whose pain can hardly be imagined. Please hold her family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Here’s what you need to know:


1. The Shooting Incident Stemmed From a Domestic Disturbance, Police Say

Adel Sambrano Ramos

Adel Sambrano Ramos

Sacramento jail records show Ramos was booked at 5:55 a.m. for one count of murder. You can read the jail records below.

According to Sacramento Bee, Ramos is a 45-year-old man with a history of domestic violence against women, having been involved in criminal cases since 1995. The Bee was first to break the news of the suspect’s identity.

Heavy reviewed his state court records. Ramos has four misdemeanor cases listed in Sacramento Superior Court records, including one that is still active. He was charged with assault and battery on November 26, 2018. That case is still pending.

In January 2001, Ramos was convicted of petty theft and sentenced to three years of informal probation and 10 days in the sheriff’s work program. His probation ended early in 2002.

In 1998, he was charged with assault and battery and a domestic violence charge, corporal injury to a spouse, both misdemeanors. He was sentenced to 15 days in jail and three years of probation after pleading no contest to the assault and battery charge. The domestic violence charge was dismissed. He completed his probation in 2002.

Ramos was charged with driving under the influence in 1995. He pleaded guilty under a first offender program but failed to complete it. He was then sentenced to three years of probation and 48 hours in jail.


2. Ramos Wrote That He Worked as a Foreman for a Carpenter Union & Is From the Philippines

Adel Ramos

Adel Ramos

According to his Facebook page, Ramos is from San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. He went to Santa Rosa High School and currently resides in Sacramento, working as a foreman at Carpenter Local 46. His page also indicates that he is engaged.

His visible Facebook posts are few and innocuous, revolving around a love of dogs and his family.

According to a press release, on June 19, 2019, at approximately 11:43 a.m., the Sacramento Police Department received a call regarding a disturbance between a male and a female at a residence in the 3700 block of Esperanza Drive.

The press release continues, later that evening, at approximately 5:41p.m, officers went to a residence in the 200 block of Redwood Avenue, where the involved female was gathering some belongings from a residence. Twenty minutes later, the officers on the scene reported shots fired and one officer hit. The suspect is accused of continued gunfire, believed by the officers to be a rifle.

Officers from the Crisis Negotiation Team eventually established communication with the suspect. Several hours later, at approximately 1:54 a.m., on June 20, 2019, the suspect surrendered and was safely taken into custody. Officers secured the scene for CSI and detectives, according to the press release.


3. Tara Christina O’Sullivan Was Part of a Landmark Leadership Program

Tara O'Sullivan

Sacramento StateTara O’Sullivan

At approximately 6:54 p.m., additional officers responded with an armored vehicle to rescue the O’Sullivan, who was then transported to a local area hospital. O’Sullivan, unfortunately, succumbed to her injuries after being transported to the hospital.

In college at Sacramento State, she was involved in a leadership program designed to promote future leaders in law enforcement. According to the university, the Law Enforcement Candidate Scholars (LECS) program is the “first of its kind in the nation.”

“This program has given me many opportunities to understand what it takes to be a leader in law enforcement,” O’Sullivan said in a video on the program.


4. Adel Ramos Comes Up in a Federal Case Involving the Alleged Smell of Marijuana

Adel Ramos

Adel Ramos

A case also comes up for him in the federal court system:

In 2011, a California Highway Patrol Officer observed pulled Ramos’ vehicle over for speeding and broken brake light. The officer smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle then asked Ramos and his passenger for his license and registration; he also asked Ramos to exit the vehicle, the records allege.

The report states that, due to conflicting stories, the officer investigated further and found approximately two grams of processed marijuana on the floorboard and in the cup holder. There was a marijuana plant in the backseat, four cell phones, and the $23,000 in cash bundled in a backpack hidden beneath the driver’s side seat.

Tributes flowed in for the fallen officer.

“We are heartbroken for the loss of Tara O’Sullivan, an officer who served our community and the Sacramento Police Department with honor, integrity and commitment. Our hearts and thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues during this tragic time, and we at the City of Sacramento share in their immense grief,” said Howard Chan, Sacramento City Manager, in a news release.

“To Tara’s parents and family, and Tara’s fellow officers, I am so sorry. As a father I am grieving with you. As Mayor of the city she swore to protect, our city is heartbroken and we are here for you every step of the way,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg in the release.

In 2011, Tara was a graduate of College Park High School in Pleasant Hill, reporter Ali Wolf tweeted. Flags at the school are at half staff today in her honor.


5. The Area Has Lost Two Female Officers in Just a Few Months

In January, another female police officer, Natalie Corona, was killed in nearby Davis. The Sacramento mayor said both Corona and O’Sullivan were committed to their communities and to “serving selflessly.”

“They had big dreams and even bigger hearts,” he added.

Davis is located about 30 minutes from Sacramento. Corona, 22, was killed in January 2019.