Cordova Recreation and Park District facilities will be closed today as employees try to come to terms with the shooting death of Steve Ebert, the district's parks superintendent.

Ebert, 59, a Pollock Pines resident and five-year employee of the district, was found dead about 6 a.m. Monday in the driver's seat of his still-idling car in Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova.

Doug Critchfield, the district's interim administrator, said Ebert typically arrived for work about 6 a.m., and a fellow employee came upon the vehicle a short time later.

Sheriff's Deputy Jason Ramos, spokesman for the Rancho Cordova Police Department, said the car was stopped, its lights on, partially in the roadway that winds through the park. Numerous bullet holes were found in the driver's-side door, and the side window was shattered.

Ramos said it appeared that Ebert's foot and weight on the brake brought his car to a stop in the roadway. The car was in gear and running.

Ramos and district officials said they could not discuss the investigation, including possible motives or suspects.

Critchfield said all district facilities, including offices in Hagan Community Park, will be closed today. A meeting of the district's 25 full-time employees will be held Wednesday and grief counselors will be available.

Ebert oversaw maintenance for the district's 38 parks.

Critchfield expressed sympathy and sadness for Ebert's family and for the community at large.

Although the park district operates independently of the city government, parks have always been an integral part of life in Rancho Cordova. The violence in the city's largest park, along the American River and next to Cordova High School, hit at the heart of the community.

"This is a tragedy for the Rancho Cordova community as well as the entire area," Critchfield said.

Linda Budge, Rancho Cordova's vice mayor, said she knew Ebert only on a professional level but was impressed with his dedication.

"He was such a nice guy. … I know he tried hard to ensure that every park in the district got the same high level of maintenance," she said.

City Councilman Dan Skoglund said Monday evening he was shocked when he learned of the shooting in an email from police. "I know a lot of the employees that work for the district," Skoglund said. "It's difficult to fathom what they've been going through."

Critchfield said the district contracts with a security firm to patrol the parks, but he said off-duty police officers will be stationed at district offices when they reopen Wednesday.

Rick Sloan, president of the park district board, said its regularly scheduled meeting will be held Wednesday evening, with beefed-up security.

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