Local News
Little River County Deputy Carl Jensen Found Deceased After Failing to Report for Duty
It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Deputy Sheriff Carl “Little Chief” Jensen, a deeply respected and dedicated member of the Little River County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Jensen was found deceased earlier this evening after he did not report for his scheduled shift.
Deputy Jensen was more than a colleague—he was a cherished brother in uniform, a trusted protector of the community, and a steadfast public servant whose presence will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of working alongside him.
Carl’s journey into law enforcement was driven by a passion to protect those who could not protect themselves.
After completing college, he began his career with Adult Protective Services, investigating allegations of abuse and exploitation in state hospitals, group homes, and home health care settings.
It was during one such case—uncovering the truth behind a complex exploitation investigation—that Carl realized his calling. “I got bit by the law enforcement bug that day,” he once said. “I wanted to help protect and bring justice to those who need it.”
Throughout his career, Deputy Jensen demonstrated extraordinary empathy, integrity, and resilience. He often reflected on the emotional weight of his work, especially when responding to calls on what could be the most difficult days in people’s lives.
“Sometimes, people don’t realize that we’re there to help everyone involved,” he shared. “Even on what could be their worst day, I can do my best to make it better—or at least keep them calm.” His compassion and humanity set an example for us all.
Our deepest condolences and unwavering support go out to Deputy Jensen’s family during this incredibly painful time.
We ask the community to join us in keeping his loved ones and our department in your thoughts and prayers as we grieve this heartbreaking loss.
Deputy Carl Jensen’s legacy of service, kindness, and courage will never be forgotten.
We are grateful for his life, his dedication, and the profound impact he had on those he served and served with.
CARMEL, Calif. — Authorities report that a child’s body, matching the description of a missing 5-year-old girl, has been recovered at Garrapata Beach.
The discovery was made at approximately 1:25 p.m. Sunday, according to Mid Coast Fire Brigade Chief Cheryl Goetz.
Formal identification is pending by the coroner, and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is withholding additional details until the coroner completes the necessary procedures.
The incident follows a tragic series of events on Friday, when Yuji Hu, 41, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, died attempting to rescue his daughter after she was swept into the ocean along with her 7-year-old sister.
During the rescue, Hu was pulled into the water.
His wife also entered the ocean in an effort to save them but was unable to reach her husband and children; she returned to shore and was treated for hypothermia.
A 2-year-old child in the family remained unharmed.
A beach visitor and an off-duty California State Parks officer were able to pull Hu from the water and administer CPR, but he was pronounced deceased.
Following the initial incident, a large-scale search operation was conducted on Friday and Saturday.
On Sunday, State Parks rangers resumed shoreline searches, leading to the recovery of a child’s body, which has since been taken to the coroner for identification.
Authorities have not released additional information at this time.
Updates will be provided after the coroner confirms the child’s identity and next-of-kin notifications are completed.