Father of slain Palm Springs officer says she was 'tough as nails'

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- The father of a Palm Springs police officer killed while responding to a family disturbance call spoke out about his daughter on Tuesday.

"She was tough as nails - a dead shot with a rifle," said proud father David Kling.

Kling said his daughter, Lesley Zerebny, had a soft side, too.

"Just a soft heart, really sensitive," he said, holding back tears. "It really came out when she had the baby."

Not only does Zerebny leave behind a 4-month old baby girl, but her husband, Zack, who's also in law enforcement. He's a Riverside County sheriff's deputy.

"It was a storybook relationship, they loved each other," Kling added.

Zerebny was killed along with her partner, Officer Jose Vega, when they responded to a family argument at a Palm Springs home on Saturday.

The man who police say pulled the trigger, 26-year old John Felix, is a convicted felon.

"Some judge, some defense attorney and some deputy district attorney cut a deal with this guy, and kept him out and got him out of prison, which is where he should have been," Kling said. "And I hope that they just think about it a little bit - that they let that animal out of prison."

A GoFundMe page was set up to help the family, and it's raised nearly $100,000 by Tuesday.

Up and down the street leading to the family home were blue ribbons and balloons.

Kling said the show of support really helps.

With a soft smile, he added, "Yesterday, I hear a knock on the door, and our old horseshoer from 15 years ago just showed up on the porch and gave me a hug, told me he loved me and that they were praying for me."