Santa Clarita, California — A private funeral service is set for Thursday to honor Joshua Kelley-Eklund, one of three detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department who tragically lost their lives in an explosion involving a grenade believed to be inert. The service, requested to remain private by the families, will take place amid ongoing sorrow for the department and the community.
Kelley-Eklund, who joined the sheriff’s department in March 2006, had a distinguished career marked by various roles. Initially assigned to the Pitchess Detention Center North and later to the North County Correctional Facility, he transitioned to the Lennox Sheriff’s Station in 2010, where he became a respected field training officer at the South Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station. Colleagues praised him for his professionalism and dedication to mentoring new deputies.
In 2016, Kelley-Eklund was promoted to detective and assigned to the Narcotics Bureau, focusing on intricate investigations that involved large narcotics seizures and the apprehension of murder suspects. His expertise later expanded to include arson and explosives when he joined the Special Enforcement Bureau in 2022.
The July 18 explosion occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. at the Biscailuz Regional Training Center, claiming the lives of Kelley-Eklund, Victor Lemus, and William Osborn. The investigation, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, suggests a connection to two grenades discovered at a storage facility in Santa Monica the previous day. These devices were initially deemed safe during an examination conducted by sheriff’s officials, but one detonated tragically during transport.
An internal investigation by the sheriff’s department has been initiated to examine the handling of the grenades and the incident itself. Sheriff Robert Luna noted that only one grenade exploded, but the cause remains undisclosed. Authorities have returned to the Santa Monica location for a more comprehensive search and executed at least two warrants in adjacent areas, including Marina del Rey.
The funeral for Osborn, a 33-year veteran with the department, was held on Tuesday in Yorba Linda, while Lemus’s service is planned for the upcoming Tuesday in Chino. Kelley-Eklund is survived by his wife, Jessica, and their seven children, who now navigate life without a devoted husband and father.
Despite the tragedy, the community’s resilience shines as law enforcement and residents come together to honor the fallen officers. Investigators urge anyone with pertinent information about the grenades or the incident to come forward, emphasizing the importance of public assistance in such cases. Anonymous tips can be submitted through established channels to maintain the integrity of the investigation.