GALT-

Galt Police mourned the loss of one of their own Tuesday, after Officer Kevin Tonn was shot and killed by a suspected burglar.

Talking to the burglary suspect on F Street brought Kevin Tonn face to face with the man who would take his life.

“His loss is extremely tragic to us and to  the community. Officer Tonn was an extremely proactive officer.  He was a very friendly officer. Everybody in town knew him,” said Galt Police Lieutenant Jim Uptegrove.

Galt’s whole force could fit into a public school classroom at just 36 strong.

Dangerous circumstances prevented members of that police family from  returning fire once they knew one of their own was in trouble.

“Our officers were not able to return fire because of the position of cover that they were trying to keep,” said Uptegrove.

Witnesses watched terrified as the conversation Tonn started turned into a fatal fight.

“They struggled and heard two, three shots fired,” said Don Schmidt.

It appears  the man pointed out to police by witnesses ran into a field and shot himself.

“There is a handgun lying in very close proximity to the deceased suspect on the other side of the railroad tracks,” said Sacramento County Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Jason Ramos.

Sheriff’s deputies taking the lead on the investigation into Tonn’s death.

The loss of this Galt veteran extends far beyond the department  he served for three-and-a-half years.

“This is a sobering reminder of the inherent dangers in the career that we choose,” said Ramos.

Tonn was a medic, a member of the military police in the Army and an assistant fire chief in New York before making Galt his home.

A trust fund to help his family has been set up at Premier West Bank and friends are planning a candlelight vigil to honor him Wednesday at Galt community park.