Man Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Murder of Palmdale Deputy

PALMDALE — The man convicted of fatally shooting Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer at a Palmdale stoplight in 2023 was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar, 32, was convicted of first-degree murder in the Sept. 16, 2023 killing of Clinkunbroomer, who was shot while sitting in his marked patrol vehicle near the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.

Clinkunbroomer, 30, was rushed to Antelope Valley Medical Center, where he later died. He had become engaged just four days before his death.

During Thursday’s sentencing, Clinkunbroomer’s mother and father addressed the court and spoke about the devastating loss of their son and how deeply they continue to miss him.

Clinkunbroomer served eight years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and came from a family with multiple generations of service in law enforcement.

Salazar will spend the remainder of his life in state prison without the possibility of parole.