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Sgt. Ron Helus 'died a hero' trying to stop the gunman at a California bar

Ron Helus lived in Moorpark, California with his wife and child.

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. -- Sgt. Ron Helus was shot and killed while trying to stop an active shooter at a bar in California.

Helus, a member of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, was the first law enforcement officer to respond when gunfire broke out late Wednesday night at Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, California.

He and a California Highway Patrol officer went inside.

There, Helus was shot multiple times. The other law enforcement officer helped get him out and secured the scene.

Related: 12 people, including deputy, killed in shooting at California bar; gunman also dead

Helus died at the hospital.

"Ron was a hardworking, dedicated sheriff's sergeant," Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said. "He was totally committed. He gave his all. And tonight, as I told his wife, he died a hero because he went -- he went in to save lives, to save other people's lives."

Sgt. Helus was a 29-year veteran of the sheriff's office and considering retiring within the next year.

He lived in Moorpark, California with his wife and son.

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