RIP

One of the deputies who was hit in the shootout with Christopher Dorner has died from his injuries ... this according to multiple reports.

The deputy was one of two cops who was shot in the gun battle with Dorner outside a remote cabin in Big Bear, CA. The cops were among the first to respond to the cabin.

Dorner is still holed up in the cabin -- with an army of officers surrounding the area.

Dorner had been suspected of killing 3 people -- including a cop ... and now, with this tragic turn of events, his alleged kill count is now up to 4.

"Storage Wars" star Mark Balelo killed himself today by carbon monoxide poisoning ... TMZ has learned.

Multiple sources close to Balelo tell us he was found dead in his car ... which was parked and running in the garage at his auction house in Simi Valley, CA.

According to our sources, Balelo had been arrested for a drug-related offense on Saturday.

We're told when Balelo got out of jail he was distraught, and asked his fiancée to come over because he was afraid he might hurt himself.

We're told they met at his office on Sunday, they talked for a few hours, he took a 4 hour nap -- and when he woke up seemed better.

The fiancée left Balelo at the office Sunday evening. We're told one of Balelo's employees found his body Monday morning.

Balelo appeared on a handful of "Storage Wars" episodes over the past few seasons.

Ed Koch -- one of the most popular mayors in New York City history -- died early this morning at the age of 88.

Koch had been hospitalized earlier this month for a lung ailment. He was also hospitalized last September for anemia and battled pneumonia last December.

Koch served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969-1977 and three terms as mayor of New York City from 1978-1989. He's credited with rescuing the city from dire financial straits during his time in charge.

He once described himself by saying, "I'm the sort of person who will never get ulcers. Why? Because I say exactly what I think. I am the sort of person who might give other people ulcers."

After his time in office, Koch served as a judge on "The People's Court" from 1997-1999.

Koch was never married and has no children.

A 25-year-old professional snowmobiler has died from injuries he sustained during a horrific crash during the Aspen X Games last week.

Caleb Moore passed away this morning in Colorado, a family spokesperson said.

Moore's family declined to release further details about the death, but stated on Sunday that he had suffered a "brain complication" stemming from the accident ... on top of a severe concussion and bleeding of the heart.

Moore was competing at the snowmobile freestyle final last Thursday when his 450-pound snowmobile flipped over and landed on top of him.

ESPN released a statement Tuesday, saying, "We've worked closely on safety issues with athletes, course designers and other experts for each of the 18 years of X Games. Still, when the world's best compete at the highest level in any sport, risks remain."

Funk legend and Ohio Players frontman Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner -- the voice behind "Love Rollercoaster" -- has died.

According to friends and bandmates, Bonner passed away over the weekend in Trotwood, Ohio following a battle with cancer. He was 69.

His family posted a message on Facebook, writing, "While his family, friends, colleagues, and fans mourn his passing they celebrate fondly his memory, music and legacy."

Bonner's career spanned 56 years. He joined the Ohio Players as lead singer in 1971 and together they released numerous hits, including "Love Rollercoaster" and "Fire."

Mary O'Connor -- Hugh Hefner's loveable secretary/den-mother who was featured on "Girls Next Door" -- passed away this weekend ... after working at the mansion for more than 40 years.

Hefner tweeted the bad news Sunday ... saying, "Mary passed away today. We loved her more than words can say."

Sources at Playboy tell TMZ ... Mary -- who was reportedly in her 80s -- had been dealing with some health issues recently ... but Hef is still taking the death "extremely hard." We're told Mary was "the rock" of the Playboy mansion and the mood at the house is "incredibly sad."

Hugh's ex-GF, Kendra Wilkinson, also tweeted about Mary's death ... saying, "RIP Mary O'Connor. She was an amazing person who helped me through so much. But I know she's happy with her boo Captain Bob. :)"

Stan Musial -- the Hall of Fame outfielder who played for the St. Louis Cardinals for 22 seasons -- passed away today. He was 92.

The Cardinals announced Musial's passing in a press release. He died Saturday evening at his home in Ladue, Mo., surrounded by family.

Musial won seven National League batting titles, three MVP awards and led the Cardinals to three World Series championships in the 1940s.

Earl Weaver, the Hall of Fame manager of the Baltimore Orioles, passed away early this morning of an apparent heart attack. He was 82.

Weaver, according to reports, was aboard an Orioles fantasy cruise in the Caribbean when he collapsed in his room at around 2:00 AM. Doctors were unable to revive him.

As manager of the O's from 1968-1986, Weaver won six division titles, four American League pennants, five 100-win and one World Series championship. His nickname was "The Earl of Baltimore."

Robert F. Chew -- best known for playing Proposition Joe on "The Wire" -- was found dead yesterday in his apartment in Baltimore ... TMZ has learned.

According to the coroner in Baltimore, Chew died of cardiovascular disease. "Morbid obesity" was listed as a contributing factor.

Chew had very little acting experience before "The Wire" or after. He was on the cult HBO show -- which took place in Baltimore -- for five seasons.

Pauline Phillips --the woman who founded the "Dear Abby" advice column -- died yesterday at the age of 94.

A rep for Phillips tells TMZ ... Pauline had been battling Alzheimer's disease.

Pauline's daughter, Jeanne -- who took over the "Dear Abby" column -- says ... "I have lost my mother, my mentor and my best friend."

She adds, "My mother leaves very big high heels to fill with a legacy of compassion,commitment and positive social change. I will honor her memory every day by continuing this legacy."

"Dear Abby" first appeared in print in 1956 -- and eventually grew to a daily readership of 100 MILLION.

Pauline's twin sister was advice columnist Ann Landers -- who died in 2002 at the age of 83.

During her career, Phillips used the pen name Abigail Van Buren -- she used the name "Abigail" from the wise woman in the Old Testament and "Van Buren" was adopted in honor of one of her favorite presidents.

Actor Conrad Bain -- who famously played father figure Phillip Drummond on "Diff'rent Strokes" -- has passed away. He was 89.

Bain family sources tell TMZ, Bain died Monday night at a retirement home in Livermore, CA from natural causes.

We spoke with Bain's daughter Jennifer who tells us, "He was an amazing person. He was a lot like Mr. Drummond, but much more interesting in real life. He was an amazing father."

Bain -- who became a household name starring opposite Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges on the iconic 80s series -- is survived by his three sons and one daughter. He also has a surviving twin brother Bonar Bain.

Bain's daughter says he spent his last few days with his family. Bain would have turned 90 on February 4th.

"Diff'rent Strokes" star Todd Bridges is inconsolable in the wake of Conrad Bain's death -- telling TMZ, he just spoke to Bain last week and everything seemed fine.

Bridges tells us, "I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Conrad as we were looking forward to celebrating his 90th birthday next month."

He added, "In addition to being a positive and supportive father figure both on and off-screen, Conrad was well-loved and made going to work each day enjoyable for all of us. He will be missed, but never forgotten."

TV icon Huell Howser -- who hosted KCET's "California's Gold" for 18 seasons -- died after a battle with prostate cancer ... this according to his official death certificate, obtained by TMZ.

Howser passed away at 2:35 AM on January 7 at his home in Palm Springs, CA ... just a short time after he quietly and unexpectedly retired from TV.

According to the death certificate, filed with the Dept. of Health, Huell's remains were cremated ... and his ashes were scattered at sea ... off the coast of L.A. County.

A man was shot dead outside a Hollywood nightclub early Sunday morning in the throes of a massive brawl ... and our photog captured it all.

Cops tell us ... It started inside Empire nightclub ... where several fights broke out between some women ... before it moved outside.

You see women in the video throwing punches, pulling hair, slapping etc.

Within minutes the violence escalated into all out mayhem ... dozens more joined in -- men and women.

Suddenly ... a man in a grey sweatshirt pulls a gun ... takes aim -- and two shots are clearly heard.

Moments later, you see a man lying dead in the middle of the street -- and it appears the victim was the intended target.

Another man was also shot during the brawl. He's in stable condition.

Charlie Sheen is covering a huge chunk of the funeral costs for the paparazzo who died while covering Justin Bieber ... cutting a $12,000 check to the photog's family ... TMZ has learned.

We broke the story ... 29-year-old Chris Guerra died after being struck by a car in Los Angeles on New Year's Day while taking pictures of Bieber's car. We're told Guerra will be laid to rest in a private service set for tomorrow

Turns out, Charlie is tight with a former photog who was friends with Guerra ... and got word that the family was trying to raise money to cover the costs. So Charlie, being Charlie, sprung into action and grabbed his checkbook.

We contacted Sheen about the situation, and the actor gave us the following statement: "A tragic incident like this erases the line between the photographer and the subject. It's an unforgiving moment that begs us all to be human and work as one to prevent this in the future."

Director David R. Ellis -- the guy behind the epic action flick "Snakes on a Plane" -- was found dead early Monday morning in a hotel room in South Africa ... this according to his rep.

60-year-old Ellis was in Johannesburg to work on a remake of the film "Kite," a Japanese anime movie.

Details surrounding Ellis' death are unclear and no cause of death has been released.