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LA County deputy's widow files lawsuit in grenade explosion
By Eric Leonard at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· July 17, 2026
· 3 min read
The widow of LA County Sheriff’s Deputy Victor Lemus, one of three deputies killed in a grenade explosion a year ago, filed a lawsuit against the county this week, expanding allegations that her husband’s death was preventable and the result of negligence.
Lemus along with Deputies Joshua Kell...
Key takeaway On the morning of July 18, the lawsuit says Lemus joined the other deputies when they used one of the grenades, which was a live explosive, as a training device.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The lawsuit filed by Nancy Lemus against LA County raises questions about the training and protocols in place for the Sheriff's Arson and Explosives Unit. As the case moves forward, the community will be watching to see how the county responds to allegations of negligence and preventable death. The fact that Deputy Lemus had not received required explosives training at the time of the explosion is particularly troubling, given his assignment to the unit. The use of an older x-ray machine to examine the grenades, which incorrectly suggested they were inert, also highlights potential gaps in equipment and procedure. The outcome of this lawsuit will have implications for the families of the deceased deputies and for the broader community, which relies on the Sheriff's Department to keep them safe. It will be important to see how the county addresses these concerns and works to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The widow of LA County Sheriff’s Deputy Victor Lemus, one of three deputies killed in a grenade explosion a year ago, filed a lawsuit against the county this week, expanding allegations that her husband’s death was preventable and the result of negligence.
Lemus along with Deputies Joshua Kell...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Eric Leonard at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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