Deputy DA Schaffer, Rio Dell Police Chief and Sgt honored for work in Rio Dell homicide

(DA Maggie Fleming, Mayor Garnes, Assistant Deputy DA Stacey  Eads)

(Chief Conner, Mayor Garnes and Deputy DA Schaffer)

I reported extensively on this case and the trial including exclusive coverage only on this blog.

Rio Dell Press Release:

On Tuesday, July 5th 2022 Rio Dell Mayor Debra Garnes presented a Proclamation honoring the investigation and prosecution team involved in the homicide of Johnny Mack Renfro. Renfro, a Texas native and Humboldt County resident was the victim of a drive by shooting in Rio Dell on the evening of Friday, August 29, 2019. 

The Proclamation marks the conclusion of months of intensive investigative work and years in the Superior Court system including a trial and subsequent appeals.

The honored include Rio Dell Chief of Police Jeff Conner, Sergeant John Beauchaine and Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer.

“Homicides are very rare in Rio Dell.” Stated Rio Dell Mayor Debra Garnes. “This team, led by Chief Conner, pursued the case very effectively, quickly identifying the suspect and tracking him across California and eventually all the way to North Dakota to bring justice. They have made Rio Dell very proud.”

Once the suspect was apprehended and returned to Humboldt County the pandemic added new challenges and delays to the Court proceedings, which were ultimately telecast on the internet. 

Referring to Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer, Rio Dell City Manager Kyle Knopp stated, “I don’t think we could have asked for a better prosecutor, Schaffer had the case tightly nailed down despite the circumstances with the pandemic.”

“In addition to these three exceptional individuals, I think it’s important to note that within seconds of the shooting, concerned neighbors came out to render aide to the victim, at potentially great personal risk to themselves. The entire block was out in force providing information to the Police Department. This includes camera footage and important eyewitness accounts.” Knopp concluded by saying, “The cooperation was phenomenal and I think this was key to the outcome of the court case."