A San Bernardino sheriff’s deputy died in a fatal crash on Monday during a pursuit of a suspected car thief, which resulted in his patrol car being severely damaged, authorities stated.

Hector Cuevas Jr., a 36-year-old married father of two, was tragically killed at the scene after his vehicle collided with another car and then struck a light pole, as per reports.

Sheriff Shannon Dicus called Cuevas “the type of law enforcement officer that we all want to be.”

During a press briefing, Dicus eulogized Hector as a dedicated family man and highly respected law enforcement officer, capable of transitioning from handling tough gang members to comforting and reassuring children about their safety and protection.

Deputies caught wind of the stolen vehicle and attempted to pull it over around 11 a.m., but the driver, identified as Ryan Turner, 22, refused to stop, setting off the furious pursuit that involved at least two police cruisers, the sheriff’s office said.

Turner stopped the car and then fled on foot before he was tracked down and arrested.

He is expected to face charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, evading a peace officer and causing death or serious injury, the top cop said.

More information about the circumstances leading up to the crash will be uncovered following an investigation, Dicus said.

Images from the scene by KABC and KCAL showed Cuevas’ vehicle cut in half with one part next to the light pole and the other several yards down the street.

A female driver behind the wheel of the third car involved suffered non-life-threatening injuries, Dicus said.

Cuevas is survived by his wife, two children, parents, brother and sister. 

Authorities are expected to request Turner be denied bail during a later court hearing.