From News10.net:

A manhunt is underway for the gunman who shot and killed a Sacramento County Sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop early this morning, officials said.

The sheriff's department identified the deputy as Jeff Mitchell, who spent nine years with the department, six of those years as a deputy. During his other three years of service, he was a recreation specialist.

Sheriff John McGinness described Mitchell as "a fine, outstanding, dedicated officer" and said he left behind a wife and 6-year-old son.

Mitchell made a traffic stop in south Sacramento County at 3:37 a.m., McGinness said. When he failed to report in as expected, other deputies were sent to the scene at Dillard and Meiss roads. There they found Mitchell, who had been shot in the head. He was transported to U.C. Davis Medical Center where he died, according to a nursing supervisor.

McGinness said it appeared Mitchell was attempting to take the driver into custody when he was shot.

Investigators with the sheriff's department, Elk Grove Police Department, Amador County and the California Highway Patrol are searching for a person near Sloughhouse off of Jackson Highway. They believe the gunman may have fled in a white Chevrolet van. Investigators are stopping cars traveling along Dillard Road trying to find the person responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to call (916) 471-1700 or (916) 874-6500.

News 10

I can only hope that the person or persons responsbile for this crime is brought to justice. Frankly, the justice should be administered via a needle.