Visalia Community Rallies to Support Fallen Deputy's Family

Fans pack Valley Strong Ballpark for fundraiser after deputy's death

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:18am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge or other law enforcement equipment, lit by a harsh camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a sense of somber investigation and community solidarity.The Visalia community's outpouring of support for a fallen deputy's family reflects the resilience and unity of the Central Valley.Visalia Today

The Visalia Rawhide baseball team and the Tulare County community came together to raise funds for the family of Deputy Randy Hoppert, who recently passed away. The sold-out crowd at Valley Strong Ballpark showed their support for the deputy's family and the local law enforcement community during this difficult time.

Why it matters

Deputy Hoppert's death deeply affected the Tulare County community, and the fundraiser at the Visalia Rawhide game provided an opportunity for residents to come together and show their support for the fallen officer's family and the broader law enforcement community.

The details

The Visalia Rawhide announced that all ticket proceeds from the game would go to support Deputy Hoppert's family. Fans from both inside and outside Tulare County lined up to attend the game and contribute to the fundraiser. During the event, Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux addressed the crowd on behalf of Hoppert's wife, expressing gratitude for the community's support.

  • The fundraiser event took place on Thursday, April 17, 2026.
  • Deputy Hoppert's death occurred prior to the fundraiser, deeply affecting the Tulare County community.

The players

Visalia Rawhide

A minor league baseball team based in Visalia, California that hosted the fundraiser event for Deputy Hoppert's family.

Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux

The Tulare County Sheriff who spoke on behalf of Deputy Hoppert's wife at the fundraiser event, expressing gratitude for the community's support.

Deputy Randy Hoppert

A Tulare County sheriff's deputy who recently passed away, prompting the community fundraiser event at the Visalia Rawhide game.

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What they’re saying

“Our most important value is supporting the community, and we didn't want this night to be about us. When this discussion came out about fundraising, we wanted to do what we could to support the family and support the community in these difficult times.”

— Griffin Epstein, Visalia Rawhide Broadcaster

“As soon as I heard about the game here, we got tickets to come down to support the family, and we'll definitely continue looking for other ways to support as well.”

— Alan Mancini

“With her being a mom, and a mom myself, that's the first thing I think we just kind of think of is how we can support her in this new chapter of her life.”

— Nicole Osborne

“On behalf of her and the family and the men and women of the sheriff's office, I just want to say thank you.”

— Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux

“Hopefully they're feeling the love that the community is here showing, because there are still people who back the blue.”

— Nicole Osborne

What’s next

The Visalia Rawhide and Tulare County community plan to continue finding ways to support Deputy Hoppert's family in the future.

The takeaway

This fundraiser event at the Visalia Rawhide game demonstrated the Tulare County community's strong support for law enforcement and their commitment to coming together to support the family of a fallen officer during a difficult time.