It’s been an emotional day not only for the Fresno County Sheriff’s office but also for everyone who knew Sgt. Rod Lucas, including people at a local Jiu Jitsu gym who say Lucas was like a brother to them.

“Very unbelievable, I couldn’t believe it. It was very shocking, heartfelt. Started crying instantly,” Angel Lopez said.

A day after Sgt. Rod Lucas died during an accidental discharge of a firearm, while on duty, his friends are trying to accept the fact that they will never see him again.

“He was a good role model he had positive energy and I really loved when he walked into the door. He was the kind of man who was a a great influence on children as well as young adults,” Lopez said.

Lopez owns Halo Jiu Jitsu in East Central Fresno. He said Sgt. Llucas began going to his gym more than three years ago, where he quickly learned more about the martial art and taught others. Just hours before his death, he had gotten a promotion at they gym, receiving a stripe on his blue belt.

Billy Miranda said “I was like congratulations man, I gave him a hug. I said well deserved cause he’s really good at what he does. that was yesterday morning.”

But only hours later,- they heard the devastating news, their friend and Jiu Jitsu brother was gone. “Very heartfelt, very hard, hit me hard and I cried like a baby last night. I’m gonna be honest and it was hard news. All of our students were very surprised it was very shocking to a lot of us cause we just got done talking to him that morning,” Lopez said.

During a press conference, Sheriff Margaret Mims said Sgt. Lucas had been with the department for 20 years and was a man of faith “Very well respected within Sheriff’s office. He truly was a leader, he was looked up to.”