VISALIA, Calif. -- Visalia, Calif., police on Tuesday released the 911 tape of a man calling police to report that he had just killed a Mormon bishop in Visalia.
Kenneth Ward, 47, of Modesto, Calif., identified himself as "Zane Thomas" and told police he would be at 1525 Burrel Ave. -- the same address where he lived as a young man.
"Be prepared to throw down in mortal combat," Ward angrily told the dispatcher before abruptly hanging up.
The bishop's slaying Sunday was in the foyer of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tulare Avenue in Visalia. Lay bishop Clay Sannar, 40, a married father of six, was shot to death around 12:35 p.m..
Ward was brought down in a hail of police bullets about half an hour later in a nearby central Visalia neighborhood.
The name "Zane Thomas" caused police to hit a dead end when they tried to track it, said Sgt. Steve Phillips. Investigators eventually discovered Ward's real name through his car's registration.
Phillips said police did not know why Kenneth Ward used an alias in his phone call.
Ward's brother, Mike Ward of Bakersfield, said he never knew his brother to use the Zane Thomas name.
Various websites identify Zane Thomas as a former Scientologist who wrote "My Escape From The Cult -- A True Story."
Mike Ward said his brother -- who was mentally ill -- would use dramatic phrases such as "mortal combat" while off his medications.
Meanwhile, a church official announced Tuesday that funeral services for Sannar are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 650 N. Lovers Lane, Visalia.
Sannar's slaying dismayed and saddened the entire community. The Sannar family can depend on a support system provided by the LDS Church, said Roy Wasden, an officials for the LDS Church in Modesto.
A family struck by tragedy can count on short-term help, such as paying bills, he said.
When survivors are emotionally ready, counselors who are called "home teachers" meet with them and help map out a long-term strategy for survival, he said.
"Every loving thing we can do, we will do for the Sannar family," Wasden said.
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FAMILY CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to the Sannar Family Trust Fund may be mailed to P.O. Box 3328, Visalia, CA 93278 or hand-delivered to Citizens Business Bank, 500 W. Main St., Visalia, CA 93291.
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