Deputy Struck, Killed Helping Elderly Woman In North Hollywood

VALLEY VILLAGE, CA — A 41-year-old off-duty female sheriff's detective was fatally struck by a vehicle in Valley Village over the weekend, the Los Angeles County sheriff said.

On Monday, a memorial service will be held in her memory.

Leist was struck while "assisting a civilian," the sheriff said. He described that civilian as an older woman who had fallen while crossing a street, midday Sunday at the intersection of Whitsett Avenue and Riverside Drive, officials said. Her death was considered an "on duty" incident, according to officials. The driver who hit the deputy stayed at the scene to render help, the LAPD said.

Leist was a 12-year-veteran of the department, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said.

"Deputy Leist leaves behind her parents and two sons, one 20-years- old and the second, 17-years-old," Villanueva said at a news conference at West Hollywood station on Sunday evening.

"The 20-year-old son is on active duty with the U.S. Navy, and we were able to reach him," Villanueva said.

"It's been a tough day for our department and for West Hollywood station, where she was assigned," the sheriff continued.

Villanueva said that personnel at West Hollywood station were replaced Monday by staff from other locations so that the West Hollywood personnel had a chance to grieve their loss. The department also assigned a psychologist to the station, he added.

An ambulance took Leist to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead, the LAPD said.

Sheriff's deputies and representatives of other law enforcement agencies escorted Leist's body from Cedars Sinai Hospital to the coroner's office Sunday evening, sheriff's officials said.

Across Twitter, her brothers and sisters in law enforcement shared their grief at her loss.

City News Service, Patch editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.

Sometimes, no words are necessary. pic.twitter.com/YqRRRLQcVS
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) January 13, 2020