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Roll
of Honour
This page pays tribute to those peace officers who
have given their lives in the execution of their duty during
1997. They do that duty on behalf of us all, pointsmen in today's
war against crime. Take a few moments here to think of them, and
to thank God that they chose to walk the point for you and your
families.
The Roll is maintained by Jim McNulty, a retired detective in Scotland. This year's Roll of Honour is dedicated to the memory of Officer Don Burt of the California Highway Patrol, who was murdered on July 13th 1996.
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You are visitor number since January 1st 1997. |
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"It's not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled - or where the do'er of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives, who spends himself in a worthy cause." - Theodore Roosevelt
Officer Dols was killed on 25 August 1997. He was off duty and leaving his private vehicle in the Sheepshead Bay area when he was approached by three men in a dark coloured Chevrolet Caprice. They shot the officer in the chest, arms and legs in what was clearly an assassination. Officer Dols was due to testify before a grand jury in relation to matters involving the Russian mafia. Ralph Dols was married with three children and had served with the housing police in Brooklyn for four years.
Officer Charron was killed on 24 August 1997. He was on a suspicious vehicle stop at 5am and when he did not respond to a routine 'wellbeing' radio call other units were dispatched to his reported location. They found him shot but still alive near his cruiser, and clutching the registration slip of the vehicle he had stopped. During the lookout period for the vehicle, it was involved in a robbery and a pursuit ensued, during which the two occupants fired at police officers. They were arrested after bailing out of the vehicle.
Jeremy Charron had started work at midnight, after returning that afternoon from the funerals of Troopers Scott Phillips and Les Lord.
Officer Conklin was killed on 21 August 1997. He was in pursuit of a speeder when his Ford Expedition overturned. He was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle through the driver's side window. The vehicle then turned on top of him. Officer Conklin was a recent graduate of the Rockland County Police Academy and had served for only one year.
Trooper Phillips was killed on 19 August 1997. He and Trooper Les Lord had attended the report of a robbery at a grocery store. On arrival they were met by a criminal with whom they had previous dealings. The man shot Trooper Phillips before he was able to leave the patrol car. Trooper Lord attempted to escape the man, who was armed with an assault rifle, but was pursued and shot in the back in a nearby field. The man stole the Troopers' patrol car and drove to the office of a local judge who had also previously dealt with him. He fatally shot her in the back as she tried to escape, and also killed her colleague as he tried to intervene. Following a 3 hour pursuit by Vermont and New Hampshire officers, the killer was shot dead, after wounding two New Hampshire officers and a Border Patrol agent.
Trooper Lord was killed on 19 August 1997. He and Trooper Scott Phillips had attended the report of a robbery at a grocery store. On arrival they were met by a criminal with whom they had previous dealings. The man shot Trooper Phillips before he was able to leave the patrol car. Trooper Lord attempted to escape the man, who was armed with an assault rifle, but was pursued and shot in the back in a nearby field. The man stole the Troopers' patrol car and drove to the office of a local judge who had also previously dealt with him. He fatally shot her in the back as she tried to escape, and also killed her colleague as he tried to intervene. Following a 3 hour pursuit by Vermont and New Hampshire officers, the killer was shot dead.
Deputy Heck was killed on 15 August 1997. Responding to a
burglary call he saw a truck parked nearby and when the
driver returned the officers questioned him. The driver
immediately shot Deputy Heck's partner, who fell to the
ground, disarmed. Eryk Heck placed himself in front of
his colleague as the driver approached and exchanged
shots with him. Despite sustained hits to his neck, head
and leg, Deputy Heck was able to shoot and kill the
driver before dying.
Eryk Heck's distinguished career with the department
started in 1989 when he joined as a civilian employee. He
became a sworn officer in 1992, making history in the
department by serving simultaneously with his mother. A
member of the Metro and SWAT squads, Eryk had been
awarded the Bronze Star, numerous citations and awards,
along with many letters of commendation. He has
posthumously been awarded the Lifesaving Award and has
become the first ever recipient of the department's Gold
Star
Deputy York was killed on 14 August 1997. The 26 year old
officer was off duty along with his fiancee, also a
deputy, and visiting a relative in a beauty salon when
two males entered and robbed the shop. In an effort to
preserve the safety of customers, the officers did not
identify themselves and complied with the commands to lie
on the floor. As the robbers searched them, they found
Deputy York's badge. They immediately shot him in the
back of the head. They were later arrested during a
traffic stop.
Sergeant Bridges was killed on 14 August 1997. He had
responded to a reported suicide call. As he and a
colleague knocked the front door of the home, they were
shot at from a window. Both officers were struck by
rounds, as were passers by. Charles Bridges was a 25 year
veteran of the department. The shooter committed suicide.
Patrolman Bosworth was killed on 5 August 1997. His
wrecked patrol car was discovered by a motorist. There
are no details as yet of how the accident happened. He
was a 10 year veteran of the Andover Police.
Sergeant Osborne was killed on 5 August 1997. He
apparently suffered a heart attack while working at his
desk. Ron Osborne was the longest serving officer in the
department, having joined in 1961.
Deputy Kanze was killed on 2 August 1997. His patrol car
was involved in a collision as he was responding to an
emergency call.
Officer Baker was killed on 31 July 1997. He was attacked
by a prisoner who stabbed him in the back. In response to
this incident the Governor of New Jersey overturned his
previous decision concerning the supply of stab resistant
vests for officers. Every NJ Department of Corrections
officer will now receive a personal issue stab resistant
vest.
Trooper Smith was killed on 26 July 1997. He was
completing paperwork following a traffic stop when his
patrol car was struck from behind by a drunk driver. The
vehicle burst into flames and Trooper Smith was burned to
death. Trooper Smith was a former baseball player with
the Minnesota Twins. He was 34 years of age and is
survived by his wife and two young children.
Officer Jeffries was killed on 20 July 1997. He arrived
as backup to a colleague who had stopped a vehicle, the
occupant of which was wanted for shooting a child. As he
arrived, he saw the occupant leave the vehicle and run
off. Officer Jeffries drove after him and left his
vehicle to search the yard of a house. He was immediately
shot once in the chest, the round entering just above his
vest. He returned fire and wounded the man, who was then
arrested. Thomas Jeffries is survived by his wife, who
served with him, and who is 7 months pregnant with their
first child.
Chief Hathaway was killed on 17 July 1997. He was in
attendance at a domestic dispute call, when he was shot
in the head at point blank range with a .22 calibre
handgun. The shooter was later arrested after a large
scale manhunt. Wayne Hathaway had been Chief of Police in
Sharpsburg for 25 years.
Officer Stephenson was killed on 16 July 1997. He
responded to an alarm at a school premises and on arrival
detained an 18 year old male walking away from the scene.
He placed the suspect in the rear of his patrol car. He
did not search or cuff him at that time. As the officer
was speaking with the janitor, the youth fired on him
from the rear seat of the vehicle. Officer Stephenson
returned fire before collapsing but the youth escaped. He
was later arrested.
Sergeant Garner was killed on 13 July 1997. He was off
duty and sitting in his vehicle with a freind when he saw
a man approach carrying a handgun. Sgt Garner left his
vehicle and identified himself as a police officer. In
the struggle which followed he was shot several times.
Detective Hale was killed on 11 July 1997. He was
attempting to arrest a murder suspect who was in a
vehicle. As the officers approached, the suspect opened
fire on them. Paul Hale was a 7 year veteran who had been
promoted to detective just two days before his death.
Officer Couture was killed on 10 July 1997. He was
directing traffic when a vehicle struck him. The driver
has been charged in relation to the incident. Edward
Couture had served for 23 years.
Constable Graham and Reserve Constable Johnston were
killed on 16 June 1997. They were on foot patrol in the
town when they were approached by IRA gunmen who shot
both officers in the head. The officers died at the
scene. They are the 300th and 301st officers to die in
the present troubles. They are the latest victims of a
terrorist campaign which executes men, women and children
in a cowardly manner, ostensibly in the name of political
activity. This at a time when the UK government are
preparing to have talks with Sinn Fein on the basis of a
cease fire being in place..
Corporal Bowe was killed on 7 June 1997. He was assisting
the Chisago County Sheriffs Department at a shots fired
call. As he and three other officers approached the
suspect's vehicle, the suspect fired and one round struck
Cpl Bowe in the face. He was airlifted to a local medical
centre but died shortly after arrival there. Tim Bowe was
a member of the Patrol for 15 years and had been
commended nine times for outstanding police work. He
served on both the Special Response Team and the
Executive Protection Unit, where he often drove the
Governor. He is survived by his wife Denise and two young
children.
Agent Starch was killed on 14th June 1997. He was
tracking illegal aliens in the Tecate Peak district of
San Diego county when he fell into a ravine. Rescuers,
including US Customs and US Coastguard, found him at the
foot of the ravine, where he was pronounced dead.
Deputy Fricke was killed on 8th June 1997. He fell during
an on duty incident and sustained head injuries.
Deputy Fricke died on 6th June 1997. He was escorting a
funeral procession on 23rd May when a vehicle struck him.
His crash helmet was dislodged in the collision and he
suffered serious injuries. he was placed on life support
from then until the date of his death.
Deputy Minnie was killed on 1 June 1997. He was pursuing
a trespass suspect on his police motorcycle when it is
thought he was struck by debris from a tractor trailer he
was passing. This caused him to lose control of his
machine and he suffered multiple injuries when he struck
the median. A very experienced motorcyclist, Franklin
Minnie had been with the department for 10 years.
Officer Muehlhausen was killed on 1 June 1997. He was
driving his patrol car on a desert highway near Indio
when it was struck by a pickup truck which was illegally
passing in the opposing traffic lane. Officer Muehlhausen
and both occupants of the truck died at the scene when
the vehicles caught fire. Dan Muehlhausen was single and
worked out of the same office as Saul Martinez who was
killed just two weeks previously.
Constable Taylor was killed on 31 May 1997. He was off
duty in a bar having a drink with friends, when he was
recognised as a police officer by a group of people who
had seen him on traffic control duties during a
parade/demonstration earlier that day. In the fragile
climate of religious intolerance which exists in Northern
Ireland, that was sufficient reason for a mob to drag him
from the bar and kick him to death. Greg Taylor has
served the RUC for 23 years and is survived by his wife
and three children.
Constable Coffin was killed on 31 May 1997. He was off
duty and watching TV in a local hotel when a man entered
the room, walked up to him and shot him in the head. The
man was later arrested by OPP officers after a seige. He
was identified as a person whom Constable Coffin had
charged with drunk driving in 1996. Constable Coffin was
well known in the local area and was involved in many
aspects of police/public relations. He is survived by his
wife and three children.
Officer Lazzaretto was killed on 27th May 1997. He and
his partner were attempting to trace a suspect in an
attempted murder case. Their enquiries led them to a
large warehouse in the Chatsworth area of Los Angeles. As
they entered the premises, Officer Lazzaretto was shot.
His partner withdrew and summoned assistance. Two
responding LAPD officers entered the warehouse and were
ambushed by the suspect. Both suffered gunshot wounds but
will survive. More LAPD officers and a SWAT team entered
the warehouse and found the suspect dead from a gunshot
wound. Charles Lazzaretto was a 10 year veteran and is
survived by his wife and two sons. His wife is a
dispatcher with the department.
Constable Maddison was killed on 25 May 1997. At the end
of a 5 mile vehicle pursuit, he and other officers began
a foot chase of the suspects who had abandoned the stolen
vehicle. During the chase and arrest of both suspects, PC
Maddison collapsed and died. Keith Maddison was 46 years
of age and has completed 25 years police service. He is
survived by his wife and a teenage daughter.
Sergeant Godwin was killed on May 22nd 1997. He was
responding to a call reporting a suspect with a gun.
William Godwin was a K9 officer, and as such would
consider his attendance likely to provide safety to
fellow officers, as much as a threat to the suspect.
While he was en route to the call, a citizen pulled out
in front of his police Range Rover, which flipped after
impact. His dog Gray survived the impact.
William Earl Goldwin leaves a wife whom he married just
18 months ago, and an eight month old daughter.
Deputy Randy
Jennings was killed on 21 May 1997. He attended a
domestic distrurbance and pursued the perpetrator on
foot. Despite the fact that Randy had been told the
suspect was unarmed, the man suddenly turned and shot him
5 times. His vest stopped 3 rounds, another struck his
wrist and the last hit the top of his vest then deflected
down into his heart. Mortally wounded, Randy still
managed to fire one shot and killed the perpetrator. He
then called in his injury, lay down under an olive
(peace) tree, and died. He is survived by his wife Terry,
an Orville police officer. She drove his cruiser from the
scene of his death and on reaching the office made his
last radio call for him.."Butte County SO 30, now
10-10"
Officer Sanchez was killed on May 19th 1997. He responded
to a report of a robbery on W.17th Street where a man had
robbed his estranged parents, leaving them bound and
gagged in their apartment. Officer Sanchez and other
officers were searching the building when he disturbed
the hiding culprit and shots were exchanged. In the
gunfire Officer Sanchez was shot in the head. He tried to
leave the building but collapsed and died en route. The
robber was later found hiding in the building. He had
gunshot wounds but will survive. He is in custody charged
with murdering the officer. Anthony Sanchez had served
the people of New York for 10 years. He leaves a wife and
a 7 year old son.
Officer Martinez died on May 15th 1997 from injuries
received in an incident on May 8th. He and his partner
were walking back to their vehicle after stopping to
assist a motorist when he became aware of a speeding
vehicle approaching them on the verge. Saul Martinez
pushed his partner out of the vehicle's path but as he
followed, he was struck by the vehicle. Survived by his
wife and three children, Officer Martinez also saved
other lives by having agreed the use of his vital organs
for transplant purposes.
Constable Lewczuk was killed on 10th May 1997. He and his
partner had stopped a vehicle on a bridge. They were
standing between the offender's vehicle and the police
vehicle when the latter was struck by another vehicle.
The police vehicle struck Constable Lewczuk, throwing him
over the side of the bridge and onto the roadway below.
Reserve Lieutenant Grice died on May 7th 1997. He had
been struck and injured by a vehicle the previous day
after stopping while off duty to assist a New Orleans PD
officer at an incident.
Lieutenant Sweeney was killed on May 7th 1997. He was
attempting to serve a citation and was negotiating with a
mentally ill citizen through the door of a house. As the
officer walked away from the door he was struck in the
back by a shotgun blast fired through the door. He
was not wearing body armour.
Officer Arduini was killed on May 4th 1997. He was in
pursuit of a speeding vehicle when his patrol car lost
adhesion and struck an oncoming vehicle. Both he and the
other driver died instantly. He had been with the
department for 3 years.
Deputy Bishop was killed on May 2nd 1997. He had escorted
two prisoners to a dental surgery. As one of them was
being examined by the dentist, he produced a concealed
handgun and forced the dentist to call the Deputy into
the room. Deputy Bishop was shot in the back as he
entered, and shot in the head as he lay on the floor. The
killer was arrested nearby after a short chase.
Officer Wagner was killed on April 28th, 1997. She was
running radar and turned after a speeder when her vehicle
was struck by a trailer truck. She died at the scene.
Officer Wagner had just completed her FTO training 3 days
previously.
Officer Johnson was killed on April 26th, 1997. He was
standing with another officer while waiting on a third
officer joining them at their vehicle in order to travel
from work to a retiral party. A vehicle approached from
the rear and the driver remonstrated with them for their
parking. The officers waved him to go around their
vehicle but the man stopped and began to verbally abuse
them. They identified themselves as police officers and
he left the area, saying he would return and settle the
matter. A short time later he returned and opened fire on
the officers. The shooter has been arrested.
Trooper Winzenread was killed on April 25th, 1997. He was
assisting a motorist on the interstate road when he was
struck by a tractor-trailer.
Officer Brown was killed on April 25th, 1997. He had
stopped to assist a female motorist in heavy rain and as
he was walking towards her vehicle, his own vehicle was
struck by another. The officer was jammed between both
cars and died of his injuries.
Inspector Sanpidio was killed on April 24th, 1997. He was
outside his home when he was shot in the head by a lone
terrorist from the Basque guerrila group 'ETA'. This
group are involved in terrorist activity in their demand
for an independent Basque homeland in northern Spain.
They have killed about 800 people since 1968, including
members of the police and security forces.
Deputy Harper was shot dead on April 24th, 1997. He had
attended a domestic incident where shots had been
reported fired. As he was talking with the suspect a
fight ensued and the deputy was shot in the head at close
range. A backup Deputy arrived and as he approached was
shot in the chest. Deputy Harper was wearing body
armour but died from a head wound, His backup officer was
not wearing body armour and survived a chest wound.Jim
Harper is survived by a wife and four children.
Officer Rice was killed on April 24th, 1997. His patrol
car was passing through an intersection when it was
struck by another vehicle. Daniel Rice had served his
department for 26 years and been commended for
outstanding police work on no less than 20 occasions.
Senior Constable Steedman was killed on April 22nd, 1997.
He had just finished his tour of duty when he was asked
to deal with a group of youths who were causing a
disturbance. He detained a 15 year old and while walking
him back to the station amidst abuse from the others, he
collapsed. The boys summoned emergency services and
attempts to revive the officer failed. Constable Steedman
is survived by a wife and two sons.
Constable Carty was killed on April 18th, 1997. He was en
route home from duty in the early hours when he was
attacked by five youths who stabbed him to death. All of
them have been charged with his murder.
Deputy Snider was stabbed to death on April 18th, 1997.
He attended a domestic incident which involved a man with
a history of mental illness and assaulting officers. The
man, who was on parole at the time of the incident,
suddenly rushed at the four officers in attendance and
stabbed Deputy Snider in the back, severing a main
artery.
Officer McDougald was shot dead on April 9th, 1997. He
had approached a man who was suspected of interfering
with a vehicle, and was hit once in the chest. He was
not wearing body armour. A 9 year veteran of the
Buffalo PD, he is survived by a wife and four children.
Deputy Rogers was shot dead on April 9th, 1997. He had
responded to the scene of a previous murder after a
report that the culprit had returned there. During the
encounter which followed, he was shot in the head by the
suspect, who escaped in the Deputy's vehicle. He was shot
dead by other deputies as he did so.
Officer 'Tony' Trinh was shot dead on April 5th, 1997. He
was off duty and in a shop owned by his parents.
Circumstances are unclear at present, although robbery
does not appear to be the motive. The officer's badge was
on the shop counter so it is assumed that he identified
himslef as an officer and is therefore classed as a line
of duty death.
Correctional Officer Williams was stabbed to death on
April 3rd 1997. He was attacked by an inmate using a home
made edged weapon. The incident took place in the Lompoc
Penitentiary, just north of Los Angeles.
Officer DeHerrera died on April 1, 1997, from injuries
sustained in an on duty accident on March 26, 1997. He
had served with the department for only 2 days when his
patrol car was struck by a speeding vehicle at an
intersection. The driver of that vehicle has been
charged.
Deputy Meilbeck was shot dead on April 1, 1997. He
responded with other officers to a domestic disturbance.
As they approached the premises, a shot fired from within
struck him in the throat area. Brian Meilbeck leaves a
wife and young child, and had only a few weeks police
service.
Officer Keliipio was the victim of a traffic accident on
March 27th, 1997. His patrol car was struck by another
vehicle, the driver of which (an off duty officer) was
arrested for drunk driving.
Corporal Garcia was killed on March 26th, 1997. His
patrol car was involved in a collision with a truck which
pulled out in front of him.
Sgt Kelly was killed on March 16th 1997. He and another
officer were searching a house for a warrant fugitive. As
Sgt Kelly opened a door, the suspect shot him dead. He
was not wearing body armour. His colleague was shot twice
but saved by his vest and arrested the shooter. Wear
your vest.
Officer Longstreet was killed on March 14th 1997. He was
parked in his patrol car when an 17 year old male shot
him through the window. The shooter has been arrested.
Deputy Hans was killed on March 10th 1997. He was
overpowered during a domestic dispute and shot dead with
his own gun. He is survived by two daughters and a son,
who is an officer with the Jefferstown Police Department.
His killer had recently been released after serving only
3 years of a 12 year sentence. His record includes 17
arrests in the past 7 years, including police assault
charges.
Officer Butler was killed on March 10th 1997. He had
responded to a hostage situation and found officers under
fire. He saw an uninvolved woman sheltering in the line
of fire, and ran to shield her with his body until he was
able to escort her out of range of fire. Having done so,
he suffered a heart attack and died. Officer Butler gave
his life to protect that of a citizen. No more could be
asked of any police officer.
Officer Patterson was killed on March 8th, 1997. On
patrol, with his father in the vehicle as a ridealong, he
intercepted the suspect vehicle. When a parole violation
was established, the driver ran off, pursued into
woodland by Officer Patterson. Responding officers had to
wait an hour for another department's K9, which found his
body lying where he had been shot. John Patterson was
previously a paramedic in Alaska. A few years ago,
responding to a road accident, he found his pregnant
fiancee dead in the wreckage. This prompted his move back
to Florida where he joined Winter Haven PD, first as a
reserve, and last year as a full time officer.
Officer Patterson's father requested that all
memorial donations be used to purchase a K9 for the
Winter Haven department
Sergeant Goggins was killed on February 27th, 1997. He
was in a group of 12 officers who were returning from an
emergency response team exercise. Their vehicle was
struck by a truck, pushing it across onto the opposite
carriageway, where it was struck simultaneously by two
oncoming truck/trailers. The other 8 officers were
hospitalized. All of the officers served at the Rutledge
Correctional Institution in Columbus. The driver of the
truck has been charged with homicide and leaving the
scene of an accident.
Officer Davis was killed on February 27th, 1997. He was
in the group of officers involved in the collision on
I-75.
Officer Cherry was killed on February 27th, 1997. He was
in the group of officers involved in the collision on
I-75.
Officer Griglen was killed on February 27th, 1997. He was
in the group of officers involved in the collision on
I-75.
Officer Smith was killed on February 26th, 1997. He was
entering his apartment after travelling home from duty
when he was the victim of a street robbery. Three robbers
stopped him at gunpoint and ordered him to lie on the
ground. As they searched him they found his police ID and
handgun. They responded by shooting him in the head. He
is survived by his wife and five year old son. The three
robbers have been arrested.
Officer Austraw was killed on February 26th, 1997. He was
en route to a training exercise when his vehicle was
struck by a trailer unit, causing it to overturn.
Officer Victor Pimentel was killed on February 22nd,
1997. His patrol car was involved in a collision with a
trailer unit. It struck the vehicle with which Officer
Pimental was dealing, and then his patrol car. He is
survived by his wife and two small children.
Deputy Rutland was killed on February 21st, 1997. He and
Deputy Bourne were escorting a prisoner to start a 40
year sentence, when the prisoner produced a concealed
handgun and shot both officers in the head, before
escaping from the vehicle. He was apprehended only after
a 9 hour manhunt, and was eventually detected with the
aid of helicopter FLIR. Deputy Rutland had been with the
department for just over a year.
Deputy Bourne was killed on February 21st, 1997. He and
Deputy Rutland were executed as described above. It is
noteworthy that Deputy Rutland had served 1 year and
Deputy Bourne less than 6 months. Despite this lack of
experience, they had been tasked with transporting two
prisoners in a vehicle without a safety cage. Search
and secure your prisoners - your life depends on it.
Colonel Black died on February 20th 1997, from wounds
received in a shooting the previous day. Along with
another officer, he was investigating a disturbance call
and went to the door of an apartment. He knocked the door
and identified himself, at which point he was shot by a
male within the apartment. Col Black was not wearing
body armour.
Sergeant Northern died on February 20th 1997, from wounds
received in a shooting the previous day. Along with
another officer, he was investigating a disturbance call
and went to the door of an apartment. He knocked the door
and identified himself, at which point he was shot by a
male within the apartment. Sgt Northern was not
wearing body armour.
Officer Sam Redhouse was killed on February 17th, 1997.
He was escorting a prisoner to start a sentence for child
abuse when the man shot him. Officers responding to the
incident shot and killed the criminal. A 6 year veteran
of the Navajo PD, Sam Redhouse is survived by his wife
and two children.
Deputy Coyle was killed on February 16th, 1997. He and
another officer were patrolling in a Hughes 500
helicopter and engaged in search for trespassers when the
aircraft lost power and plunged to the ground. He
suffered serious injuries and died a few hours after the
crash. He was 42 years of age.
Officer M.D. "Mad Dog" Moore was killed on
February 15th, 1997. He responded to a bank robbery and
was cut down by a hail of gunfire as he arrived.
Officer Burroughs was killed on February 14th, 1997. He
was in attendance at a road accident when a passing
trailer went out of control and struck a car, which in
turn struck Trooper Burroughs.
Officer Barreda was killed on February 14th, 1997. His
police motorcycle went out of control and slid under an
oncoming van. Rick Barreda is the first Dallas/Ft Worth
Airport Police officer to die in the line of duty. He
leaves a wife and young daughter.
Officer Blankenship was killed on February 10th, 1997. He
had responded to an incident in the university hall,
where a prowler had been observed on CCTV cameras. As he
and another officer approached the man and took him into
custody, the prowler shot Officer Blankenship in the face
and fled. Officer Blankenship died later in hospital. The
shooter committed suicide near the scene of the shooting.
Officer Vargas was killed on February 7th, 1997. His
police vehicle was involved in a collision with another
vehicle.
Officer Johnson was killed on February 5th, 1997. His
police motorcycle was struck by another vehicle while he
was on routine patrol. Officer Johnson had served the
LAPD for 9 years.
Officer Gibson was killed on February 5th, 1997. He was
stopped at a traffic light in his patrol car when a man
approached the vehicle and shot him several times in the
head. This random execution was apparently related to an
earlier incident involving the shooter and an off duty
officer who had ejected him from a premises. There was no
connection between the shooter and Officer Gibson. The
shooter was arrested by other officers as he fled the
scene. Officer Gibson had six years service, and married
only 4 months before his death.
Officer Neal was killed on January 29th, 1997. He was
working undercover and making a controlled drugs buy when
the dealer became suspicious and an exchange of gunfire
ensued involving the suspect, Officer Neal and other
officers assisting him. Officer Neal was accidentally
struck by a round fired by one of the other officers. The
dealer was arrested the following day. Officer Neal had
served his department for six years, and is survived his
wife and two young daughters, who learned of his death by
recognising his body as reports from the scene were
screened live on TV.
Officer Batchelder was killed on January 28th, 1997. His
patrol car left the road and collided with a tree. He had
not yet completed his first year of policing and leaves
behind a wife and a six week old son.
Agent Minnetto was killed on January 27th 1997. His
vehicle rear-ended another on an off ramp from the I-80.
Both vehicles stopped and Agent Minnetto called 911 to
report the accident. While waiting for the police, the
other driver returned to the agent's vehicle and shot him
in the head with a .22 handgun. He then removed Agent
Minnotto's .40 calibre handgun and shot the agent again
in the head. After this the man committed suicide using
the agent's gun. Agent Minnetto was 49 years old but had
only joined the INS in November 1996.
Deputy Demos was killed on January 25th, 1997. He was
assisting a motorist who had broken down at the roadside
when he was struck by a passing vehicle. The driver, who
was intoxicated, failed to stop but was traced and
arrested later that day. Dave Demos had served for 15
years and leaves behind a wife, three children and two
grandchildren.
Chief of Police Bobby Spencer was killed on January 18th,
1997. Chief Spencer was found in the early hours of the
morning by two of his officers. He had been shot in the
back of the head while entering or leaving the station.
Deputy Brooks was killed on January 18th, 1997. He was
working at a crime scene when he was struck by a passing
vehicle. A police helicopter traced the vehicle nearby
and the driver was arrested. Henry Brooks leaves a wife
and two small children.
Trooper Heck was killed on January 10th 1997. He
discovered a man stealing a vehicle and became involved
in a violent struggle with him. His body was discovered
lying in snow at the scene of the struggle, near Glenn
Highway. His assailant was arrested by officers
responding to the assistance call. The killer had been
released from prison the previous day after completing a
5 year sentence for jail breaking. Trooper Heck was 42
years of age and is survived by his wife and 3 children.
Deputy Haugen was killed on January 5th 1997. Along with
Deputy James Lehmann he had responded to a domestic
violence call at a trailer home in Cabazon, 70 miles east
of Los Angeles. Having parked their patrol cars away from
the area for safety, they were cut down by rifle fire
from approximately 50 yards. The 36 year old trailer
resident was arrested later and an M-1 carbine recovered.
Deputy Lehmann was killed on January 5th 1997. Along with
Deputy Michael Haugen he had responded to a domestic
violence call at a trailer home in Cabazon, 70 miles east
of Los Angeles. Having parked their patrol cars away from
the area for safety, they were cut down by rifle fire
from approximately 50 yards. The 36 year old trailer
resident was arrested later and an M-1 carbine recovered.