IN THE LINE OF DUTY
San Diego Police Department
Sergeant Hopkins was killed when his police motorcycle was intentionally struck by a suspect in a pickup truck. Upon being hit his motorcycle got stuck under the truck and he was dragged more than a block. He succumbed to injuries while in surgery three hours later. The suspect was later arrested by the chief of police and subsequently sentenced to two years.
Sergeant Hopkins had been promoted to sergeant the previous day and requested he stay on motorcycle patrol. He had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his wife, children, and parents.
Patrolman Holcomb died as a result of contracting Spanish influenza. At the time he contracted the disease he was transporting a flu victim to the hospital. The virus was part of a worldwide epidemic at the time.
Officer Lee was killed in a motorcycle accident while chasing a speeding motorist. As Officer Lee entered an intersection an oil truck pulled out in front of him. The impact caused Officer Lee to be thrown from the motorcycle into a light pole, killing him instantly. Lee had been with the San Diego Police Department for four years.
Detective Harris was killed when he and his partner were ambushed by a hidden gunman. Detective Harris returned fire as the suspect ran away but did not hit him. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Powers was killed when his police motorcycle was struck head-on by a drunk driver who was driving on the wrong side of the road. The impact of the accident caused Officer Powers to be thrown over his handlebars and through the vehicle’s windshield. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Patrolman McPherson was killed after being assaulted while on jail duty. He was attempting to break up a fight between two inmates. As he entered the cell one of the inmates grabbed Patrolman McPherson’s nightstick and began beating him over the head with it. Other officers were able to subdue the prisoner. Patrolman McPherson was transported to a local hospital with serious head injuries. The next day he left the hospital without permission but was later found walking around dazed and confused. He was returned to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the next day.
Patrolman Edward J. Moore Jr. was shot and killed on Jan. 15, while arresting a robbery suspect. He had just gotten off duty and was still in uniform when he spotted the suspect. He patted him down and confiscated a .32 caliber handgun. As he was handcuffing the man, the suspect grabbed the gun and shot him in the chest several times. Moore was able to chase the suspect for about a block before collapsing. Other officers responding to the scene arrested the suspect. Moore was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries eight days later after contracting pneumonia.
Patrolman Keays died of exhaustion shortly after pulling a mangled body from underneath a streetcar in the downtown area. He had been with San Diego Police Department for 16 years.
Officer Goodrich was killed instantly when his police motorcycle struck a vehicle making an illegal U-turn.
Patrolman Bowers was killed in an automobile accident while in a high-speed pursuit of a motorcycle. Upon entering an intersection his cruiser struck a pickup truck and was spun around, ejecting him.
Sergeant Kay was killed when he was involved in an accident while pursuing another vehicle. Sergeant Kay’s patrol car flipped several times, killing him instantly.
Patrolman Michael Bushman was killed in a single vehicle crash when his cruiser rolled over several times. It is not known what caused the accident.
Sergeant Everitt was killed when he was struck by an out-of-control pickup truck while he was directing traffic at the scene of a minor accident.
Patrolman Lewis was shot and killed while off duty. He and two other officers had gone to a bar when they noticed several individuals giving the doorman a hard time. Patrolman Lewis identified himself as an officer and escorted the men to their car to get identification. Instead, one of the men produced a handgun and shot Patrolman Lewis.
Sergeant Edwards was shot and killed when he approached a suspicious man behind a convenience store. The man had just committed an armed robbery of the store moments before.
Patrolman Allen was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a disturbance call. When they arrived they discovered a man was attempting to flood his apartment by clogging up the sinks and he was stabbing a block of ice with a knife. When the man saw the officers he advanced towards them with the knife, but dropped it when both officers drew their weapons. As Patrolman Allen approached the suspect he suddenly pulled out a concealed handgun and shot him in the chest. Both officers returned fire, killing the suspect. Patrolman Allen succumbed to his injuries within minutes. The suspect had been released from jail that morning after serving time for attempted murder of a police officer.
Patrolman Buggs was shot and killed after he made a traffic stop on two gang members.
Patrolman Anaya was shot and killed after a man high on PCP gained control of his weapon. Patrolman Anaya had responded to a call of a man attacking his family with a knife. During a struggle the suspect gained control of Patrolman Anaya’s weapon and shot him. He then shot and killed himself. Patrolman Anaya was paralyzed from the neck down until he succumbed to his injuries three weeks later.
Patrolman Gonzales was killed when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while making a traffic stop on a freeway.
Patrolman Tiffany and Patrolman Ronald Ebeltoft were shot and killed after responding to a dispute between two neighbors over the placement of a rose bush. During the dispute one of the men assaulted the other. As both officers were standing outside of the suspect’s home the man snuck up behind them and opened fire with an assault rifle, killing both officers.
Patrolman Tiffany and Patrolman Ebeltoft were shot and killed after responding to a dispute between two neighbors over the placement of a rose bush. During the dispute one of the men assaulted the other. As both officers were standing outside of the suspect’s home the man snuck up behind them and opened fire with an assault rifle, killing both officers.
Patrolman Johnson was shot and killed by a 17-year-old boy who had stolen his father’s sheriff’s uniform and marked patrol car. When Patrolman Johnson pulled up to next to what he thought was a uniformed deputy the suspect opened fire, killing him. The case remained unsolved for over a month before a witness came forward and identified the suspect. The suspect was subsequently convicted of second degree murder.
Officer Ruopp and Officer Kimberly Tonahill were shot and killed by an armed suspect at the Grape Street Park.
Officer Ruopp and Officer Kimberly Tonahill were shot and killed by an armed suspect at the Grape Street Park.
Agent Riggs was shot and killed by a combative suspect who had gained control of another officer’s handgun. The suspect shot and paralyzed the other officer before shooting Agent Riggs in the stomach, severing an artery. He then shot a civilian ride along before stealing one of the police cars and running over the second officer.
Patrolman Hartless was shot and killed while in a foot pursuit of a gang member. His partner found him face down in the street and he was transported to a local hospital where he remained in a coma for 22 days. The gunman in the shooting was never identified and the case remains unsolved.
Patrolman Hartless had been with the agency only nine months.
Officer Davis was shot and killed when he and his partner were responding to a domestic violence call. As Officer Davis exited his cruiser the suspect exited his car and shot at him over the roof of the vehicle, striking him in the upper torso several times.
Officer Griffin died of injuries he received ten days earlier when he was struck by a vehicle, while conducting a radar speed check on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach. Officer Griffin had been with the San Diego Police Department for 17 years, and was assigned to the Traffic Division. He is survived by his daughter, parents, and two sisters.
Officer Terry Bennett was killed when his police motorcycle was intentionally rammed during a vehicle pursuit. Officer Bennett had been employed with the San Diego Police Department for 13 years, and is survived by his wife and two young children.
On October 27, 2010, around 11:00 pm, US Marshals and SD County Probation went to serve an arrest warrant at an apartment complex in the Skyline area of Southeast San Diego. They were looking for a suspect wanted for assault with a deadly weapon (245 PC) charges. When County Probation made contact at the door, the subjects closed the door on the Marshals and Probation Officers. The apartment door was kicked in and the subject of the warrant was arrested. At the same time there was a male and female who ran for a back bedroom and barricaded themselves inside. The US Marshals and County Probation Officers removed the other female and an additional male from the apartment, set up a perimeter, and called San Diego PD for assistance. A total of six SDPD Officers, including a SDPD Officer and his K-9 partner, went into the apartment in an attempt to get the male and female out of the bedroom. When there was no response, SDPD Officers started to kick in the bedroom door and were met with gun fire. SDPD Officers returned fire. Officer Christopher Wilson was shot in the head, the K-9 was shot in the face. Two of the officers carried Wilson out of the apartment, the K-9 Officer removed his partner from the apartment, and the other two officers barricaded themselves in another bedroom for cover.
Officer Wilson was transported to Scripps Mercy Hospital, where doctors, knowing the injuries to him were catastrophic, kept him alive until family members could be brought to the hospital. Officer Wilson succumbed to his injuries at approximately 0255 hours of the morning of October 28.
The other two officers were able to escape out of the second story apartment through a window with the assistance of the fire department. The K-9 was transported to the emergency vet hospital, where he underwent surgery for a gun shot wound to the face. He is expected to survive.
After an 8 hour stand-off, SWAT team members made entry into the apartment and found a male and female in the bedroom, dead from apparent gun shot wounds. It is unknown if they died from shots fired by the officers or if they were self inflicted. Several guns were found around the bodies.
Officer Wilson was a 17 year member of the SDPD, was a member of the SWAT team, and a Field Training Officer. He worked out of the Southeast Division. He is survived by his ex-wife and two adult children. The ages of the children is not confirmed at this time. Officer Wilson was a veteran of the US Navy and had attained the rank of Lieutenant before leaving to join SDPD.
The San Diego Police Officers Association has set up a trust fund for Officer Wilson’s family. Checks can be made payable to the SDPOA Charity Fund. Please write “Officer Wilson” in the memo line. Any donations (100%) will go directly to the family. Donations can be mailed to SDPOA, 8388 Vickers Street, San Diego, CA 92111.
San Diego Police Officer Killed in Unprovoked Shooting
Early Sunday morning, August 7, 2011, San Diego Police Officer Jeremy Henwood died from gunshot wounds suffered in an incident that unfolded the previous evening.
The incident started at approximately 5:22 p.m., Saturday, August 6, when a man was shot in the face with a shotgun in the parking lot of an In-N-Out restaurant on N. Magnolia Avenue in El Cajon. A motive for that shooting has not been disclosed; the victim is expected to survive.
Moments later, the same gunman allegedly pulled beside Officer Henwood’s patrol car at a stop sign in a City Heights neighborhood and shot him “absolutely unprovoked,” according to Capt. Jim Collins of the San Diego department’s homicide squad.
As Officer Henwood was rushed to a hospital emergency room, dozens of officers from several departments, responding to the radio call of “officer down,” located the suspected gunman outside an apartment building. When he reached for a shotgun, several officers opened fire, killing him, Collins said. White was pronounced dead at 6:23 p.m. by paramedics on scene.
Officer Henwood (36) a four-year veteran of the police department currently assigned to the Mid-City Division, was also a Captain in the United Marine Corps Reserves who recently returned from deployment in Afghanistan. Henwood passed away at Scripps Mercy Hospital at 1:42 a.m., Sunday, August 7. He is survived by his parents, a brother, and sister. His family, who traveled to San Diego from Texas, made the courageous decision to donate his organs for transplant – Officer Henwood’s final act of heroism.
Donations to Officer Henwood’s memorial fund can be made as follows:
Officer Jeremy Henwood Family Trust
c/o San Diego Police Officers Association
8388 Vickers Street
San Diego, CA 92111
San Diego police officer, JD DeGuzman was killed and another officer was injured in a shooting as the pair tried to make a stop.
A suspect was shot and was found in the area in critical condition, police said.
The officers were identified by San Diego Police Department Chief Shelley Zimmerman.
Jonathan “J.D.” DeGuzman, 16-year veteran of the department, was killed. Officer Wade Irwin, a nine-year veteran, was shot and hospitalized.
Zimmerman commended the “professionalism and courage” of her sworn and civilian staff in the overnight investigation, which was continuingFriday.
“This is one of the most difficult and heart-wrenching situations for police officers to go through,” Zimmerman said.
The shooting happened after the two uniformed gang-suppression officers tried to stop an individual in the 3700 block of Acacia Grove Way, in the city’s Southcrest section, Zimmerman said. It wasn’t clear if the
confrontation started as a vehicle or pedestrian stop, the chief said at an 11 a.m. news conference, clarifying earlier comments.
The two officers radioed shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday that they were going to stop someone, Zimmerman said earlier Friday. Almost immediately afterward, they called for emergency backup.
“It happened extremely quickly,” she said. She didn’t say why the officers were trying to make a stop. DeGuzman leaves a wife and two young children, DeGuzman was remembered as friendly and outgoing. If he saw you, he would wave and say hello.
Officer Campbell was shot and killed after responding to a disturbance at a local bar. Upon his arrival he observed the suspect standing on the street corner. He approached the suspect from behind touched his shoulder. The man suddenly swung around and shot Officer Campbell three times in the face and neck. Bleeding heavily, hewas able to knock the suspect to the ground and hold him there until other officers arrived and arrested him. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries within an hour.