Search Intensifies For Police Officer Gunman

An intense search continues today for a truck thief who shot and killed a Riverside police officer after a short pursuit that ended with an exchange of gunfire in a Riverside park.

Officer Ryan Bonaminio, a four-year Riverside Police Department veteran who also served two tours of duty with the Army in Iraq, was shot shortly after 9:45 p.m. Sunday at Fairmount Park, near the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway offramp to Market Street, police Sgt. Dan Russell said.

Bonaminio, 27, was pronounced dead at 10:22 p.m. at Riverside Community Hospital, according to the coroner’s office.

The officer tried to pull over a big rig believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run crash near Market Street and the 60, Russell said. The operator of the stolen 18-wheeler failed to stop when Bonaminio initially signaled him to do so, and the officer followed the suspect to the entrance to the park, where he finally yielded, according to Russell.

But the unidentified man abandoned the rig and fled on foot, and Bonaminio ran after him, during which a gun battle erupted. Officers responding to the scene found Bonaminio on the ground, mortally wounded, according to Russell.

The suspect, who made it back to the truck and took off, was described as black, in his mid 30s to mid 40s, about 6-foot-1 to 6-foot-2, with a slender build. He was wearing dark clothes and a light-colored baseball cap.

The truck was later located a few miles away, according to police.

Extra officers were called in to aid in the search, and the area around the park was sealed off, but no arrests were made.

“Officer Ryan Bonamino’s tragic death is a reminder to all of us in the law enforcement family that the supreme sacrifice of our service is also a cost borne by our loved ones, our families and our community,” said Riverside police Chief Sergio Diaz.

Bonaminio is the first Riverside police officer to die in the line of duty in about 10 years, according to Assistant Chief Chris Vicino.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger released a statement extending his condolences to the fallen officer’s loved ones.

“Every day our law enforcement officials go to work to protect their communities, never knowing the dangers that may arise,” Schwarzenegger said. “Officer Bonaminio went above and beyond the call of duty his entire life, first serving in uniform to defend our nation’s freedoms, and here at home to protect the people of Riverside. His courage and dedication in the line of duty will be remembered forever.”

Bonaminio, a Riverside resident who graduated from Ramona High School in 2000, joined the U.S. Army and completed two tours as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to Riverside police.

He served with the 314th Military Police and his assignments included serving in Kuwait City, Bagdad, Mosul and Umm Qasr in southern Iraq. He also served in the 282nd Base Support Battalion in Hohenfels, Germany.

Bonaminio earned the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Mobilization Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal and Expert Qualification Badge for the 9mm pistol.

The Riverside native began working for the police department in July 2006 while still in the Army Reserves.

“Ryan has always done what is morally right. He has integrity in everything that he does,” Army Military Police Reserve Sgt. Tamara Colosimo said.

Anyone with information about the shooting was urged to call police Detective Ron Sanfilippo at (951) 353-7105 or Detective Gary Rowe, (951) 353- 7130.