Sheriff: Wanted man killed California deputy in 'execution'

(AP) — A man shot and killed a deputy in what police termed "an execution," then stole a car and drove 150 miles to a small central California town where he was arrested after trying to steal a purse from a woman, who fought back and called authorities.

Stanislaus County Sheriff's Deputy Dennis Wallace was shot twice in the head Sunday morning as he checked on a report of a suspicious van parked near a fishing access spot outside the city of Hughson, about 10 miles southeast of Modesto.

The Lindsay police officers did not know Machado was the suspect in Wallace's killing until after he was taken into custody and they identified him through tattoos and a photo issued by Stanislaus County.

Hundreds of people, including law enforcement officers, gathered at the park near where Wallace was shot to mourn his death.

The slaying comes after a deputy in Modoc County was killed while responding to a call about a disturbance, two Palm Springs police officers were shot to death during a domestic disturbance call, and a Los Angeles County sheriff's sergeant was shot and killed in the high-desert town of Lancaster while answering a burglary call.