Cop-Killer Blue Alert: Suspect Sought In Officer's Slaying

NEWMAN, CA – A 33-year-old Newman police officer was fatally shot during a traffic stop Wednesday morning in Newman, and the California Highway Patrol has issued a "Blue Alert" in surrounding counties for the alleged killer, who fled the scene.

The suspect's gray pickup truck was located Wednesday morning in the city of Newman by Stanislaus County sheriff's deputies, authorities said.

Newman Police Department's Cpl. Ronil Singh initiated a traffic stop at 12:57 a.m. and reported "shots fired" over the radio moments later at Merced Street and Eucalyptus Avenue in Newman, according to Stanislaus County deputies. Singh, who had been with the agency since 2011, was found at the scene with gunshot wounds and died at a hospital.

“Our Newman Police family is devastated by the loss of Ronil,” said Newman Police Chief Randy Richardson. “If anyone has any information regarding the identity of the suspect, please contact law enforcement immediately so we can get this cop-killer off the streets.”

The suspect is described as a heavy-set Hispanic man wearing a black jacket with white Ecko Unlimited brand patches on the sleeves, a black shirt, silver chain and black shoes.

He was believed to have left the area in a gray Dodge Ram pickup truck with an extended cab and paper license plates, according to the CHP, which issued the alert in five counties due to his unknown direction of travel.

Sheriff's officials said they served a search warrant Wednesday in the 26000 block of River Road just outside of Newman and recovered the truck. It is currently being processed for evidence.

The Blue Alert program is a quick response system to coordinate alerts after a violent attack on a law enforcement officer, according to the CHP.

Detectives released surveillance photographs of the suspect and his vehicle, asking anyone with information regarding his identity to come forward.

Singh, a Fiji native, is survived by a wife and 5-month-old son.

"He was a wonderful brother who we looked up to and a hero to us all," Facebook user Shivy Singh wrote on the sheriff's office page. "I still cannot believe that he is gone."

Anyone with information can contact Detective Michael Fisher at 209-525-7083 or dispatch at 209-552-2468. Anonymous tips can be left by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 or emailed at http://www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers.

Law enforcement noted anyone who spots the suspect should call 911 as he is considered armed and dangerous.

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--Images via Renee Schiavone, Patch, and of the suspect, his truck and the viction via the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department/Bay City News contributed to this post