In the Line of Duty

Someone killed a policeman today and A part of America died. A piece of our country he swore to protect Will be buried with him at his side. The suspect who shot him will stand up in court, With counsel demanding his rights While a young widowed mother must work for her kids And spend many long lonely nights, The beat that he walked was a battlefield too, Just as if he had gone off to war. Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast, To his name they will add a gold star. Yep, somebody killed a policeman today In your town or mine. While we slept in comfort behind locked doors, A cop put his life on the line. Now his ghost walks a beat on the dark city street And he stands at each rookie's side. He answered the call, of himself gave his all And a part of America died. -Unknown-

This is our tribute to our brother and sister officers who have given the ultimate sacrifice for us and our community. These officers are heroes and will always be remembered here and in our hearts. Click on each officer's name to learn more about their tragic incident and pray that no more officers will give the ultimate sacrifice.

• Joseph McKinney, August 15, 1850 Shot to death arresting barricaded subject.
• Charles J. Ogle, March 12, 1951 Patrol vehicle was struck by a drunk driver.
• William Littlejohn, June 3, 1955 Patrol vehicle was struck by a drunk driver.
• Roger L. Bauman, December 12, 1961 Shot to death during the pursuit of an armed robber.
• Kenneth B. Royal, June 7, 1968 Shot to death while arresting an armed robbery suspect.
• Bruce R. Verhoeven, December 4, 1973 Shot to death while arresting an armed robbery suspect.
• Stewart P. Baird, June 13, 1976 Beaten to death by suspect during an armed robbery.
• Christopher W. Boone, October 25, 1979 Shot to death during a surveillance of a sex assault suspect.
• Eugene N. Luther, April 25, 1980 Shot to death while off duty by an unknown robbery suspect.
• David E. Miller, January 2, 1983 Killed during a vehicle pursuit of an assault suspect.
• Richard Deffner, January 21, 1988 Shot to death during a Special Enforcement Detail operation in search of a wanted felon.
• Sandy Larson, December 8, 1998 Killed as a result of a traffic accident while transporting two inmates from Soladad Prison.
• Kevin Blount, July 13, 2005 Killed in a helicopter crash during routine patrol near Lake Natoma.
• Joseph Kievernagel, July 13, 2005 Killed in a helicopter crash during routine patrol near Lake Natoma.
• Jeffrey Mitchell, October 27, 2006 Shot to death during a traffic stop by an unknown suspect.
• Vu D. Nguyen, December 19, 2007 Shot to death during a foot pursuit.
• Lawrence W. Canfield, November 12, 2008 Killed as a result of a traffic accident.

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