Deputy Is Slain by Gunman

Authorities are searching for suspects and possible witnesses in the slaying of Deputy Stephen Sorensen, a 12-year veteran, who was responding to a call in Llano near Highway 138, east of Palmdale, said Undersheriff William Stonich."

As of late Saturday night, no suspects had been identified, said Deputy Johnie Jones, adding that "there's nobody we have enough evidence on right now to say that's a suspect."

Sorensen, 46, was the resident deputy for the Lake Los Angeles area, which is about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles, and patrolled several of the far-flung and sparsely populated communities at the edge of the Mojave Desert, Stonich said.

He was a familiar sight to residents.

Cole McCandless, who was born and raised in Lake Los Angeles, had known Sorenson for several years.

"This wasn't just a job for him. It was something he was really passionate about," he said. "When everything was safe and OK, he was the happiest-go-lucky guy around. But where there was a problem, he was a real take-charge guy.

"He worried not only about safety but about ways to make the town a better place to live."

As a resident deputy, Sorensen was responsible for 150 square miles, the Sheriff's Department said. He was the only full-time deputy but was assisted by volunteer lawmen. Sorensen worked out of his home, like the other five or so resident deputies in sparsely populated areas of the county.

Sheriff's Capt. Carl Deeley, who works out of the Lancaster station, said it takes a special kind of deputy to be a town sheriff.

"He was the original beat cop. He walked the beat and everybody knew him," he said.

Saturday morning, Sorensen left word he was going to investigate a trespassing report in nearby Llano.

Shortly after noon, a 911 caller reported hearing half a dozen gunshots. Sorenson's patrol car was found near a few trailers. Deputies did not find Sorensen but found signs of a struggle, including bloodstains, Stonich said.

Sorenson's body was found "more than 100 yards away but less than a quarter mile" from his squad car, he said. A written statement released by the sheriff's information bureau described a "suspect vehicle" seen leaving the scene as a yellow-and-black Dodge Dart. Stonich declined to release more information.