A retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy who lived with a bullet in his head since he was shot in the line of duty in 1994 died on Tuesday as a result of his injuries.
Steven Belanger was a 7-year veteran of the force when he was wounded that December, 23 years ago, according to The San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
The deputy, now 52, was conducting a traffic stop and questioning an assault suspect on Dec. 11, 1994 in Rowland Heights when a 20-year-old man, described as a friend of the man who had been pulled over, approached on a skateboard and shot Belanger in the head.
The gunman shot and killed himself later the same day in front of a church.
"Los Angeles County lost a true hero yesterday," Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs President Ron Hernandez said in a statement Wednesday. "While he was shot in the line of duty over two decades ago, Steve and his family bravely faced the challenges of his injuries up until his passing."
Belanger leaves behind a wife and 15-month-old daughter.
A private memorial service is scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Pomona Valley Memorial Park.
