Officer Down: North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper John Sumter Horton
North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper John Sumter Horton died in the most senseless way possible – killed when another officer responding to his aid lost control of their vehicle. To compound the tragedy that responding officer was John’s brother, James N. Norton.
Officer Down: LAPD Officer Fernando Arroyos
What should have been a joyous and fun-filled day for LAPD Officer Fernando Arroyos and his girlfriend turned to tragedy as three members of the Florencia 13 gang and two of their girlfriends decided robbing the young couple was the way to end that fateful Monday evening.
Officer Down: RCMP Constable David Matthew Wynn
At the time he murdered Constable David Wynn, Shawn Rehn was out on bail for a host of crimes, including escaping lawful custody and possession of a prohibited firearm.
Shawn Rehn was also under a lifetime Firearms Prohibition Order as a result of his previous crimes. That did not stop him from illegally acquiring the gun he used to murder one police officer and injure another.
Officer Down: Austin Police Department Officer Lewis “Andy” Traylor
On July 28, 2021, while responding to a serious injury traffic call, Austin Police Department Officer Lewis “Andy” Traylor was critically injured when a tractor-trailer made a U-Turn in front of his cruiser. He succumbed to his injuries on July 31.
Officer Down: Kern County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff Phillip Campas
On July 25, 2021, Kern County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff Phillip Campas was shot and killed during a standoff that also wounded another police officer. When the primary suspect was finally shot and killed, the bodies of his wife and two children were found inside. He is survived by his wife and two young children.
Officer Down: Clark County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeremy Brown
Clark County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeremy Brown was shot and killed while conducting surveillance at an apartment complex in the 3500 block of Northeast 109th Avenue in Vancouver, Washington. He is survived by his wife and children.
Officer Down: Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Josh Bartlett
On July 15, 2021, Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Josh Bartlett was murdered during an hours-long SWAT standoff that also left three others injured. Sgt. Bartlett is survived by his beautiful wife of 18 years, Rebecca, and their three sons. The family just celebrated his youngest son’s teenage birthday two days before he was murdered.
Officer Down: Terre Haute Police Department Detective Greg Ferency
Terre Haute Police Department Detective Greg Ferency was ambushed and murdered outside the FBI Indianapolis Resident Agency on Wednesday, July 7, 2021.
Detective Ferency, a 30-year veteran of the Terre Haute Police Department, was assigned to the FBI Task Force and worked there since 2010.
At this point it is not known why the as-yet unidentified murderer singled out and murdered Detective Ferency.
Officers Down: San Diego Police Department Detectives Jamie Huntley-Park and Ryan Park
Tragedy struck the San Diego Police Department on June 4, 2021, when married Detectives Ryan Park and Jamie Huntley-Park were killed by a driver going the wrong way. That vehicle struck the detectives’ vehicle, killing them both.
Officer Down: Worcester Police Department Officer Enmanuel “Manny” Familia
On June 4, 2021, Worcester Police Department Officer Enmanuel “Manny” Familia gave his life attempting to save 14-year-old Troy Love, who also drowned in Green Hill Pond.
Officer Down: Canada Corrections Officer Bikramdeep Randhawa
So far police have not released any information about possible suspects, nor do they have a motive for Officer Bikramdeep Randhawa’s murder.
Officer Down: RCMP Constable Shelby Patton
Constable Shelby Patton, a six year veteran of the Indian Head RCMP detachment, was murdered while performing a traffic stop outside Wolseley, SK, on June 12, 2021.
Officers Down: Deputy Sheriffs Samuel Leonard and Stephen Jones
On May 10, 2021, Concho County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff Samuel Leonard and Deputy Sheriff Stephen Jones were killed in the line of duty in Eden, Texas.
Officer Down: Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper John Harris
Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper John Harris died on May 28, 2021, when he was hit by a transport truck while performing a traffic stop on another motorist. Trooper Harris is survived by his wife and children.
Officer Down: Detective Luca Benedetti
San Luis Obispo Police Department Detective Luca Benedetti died May 10, 2021, while executing a search warrant. The suspect, hiding inside, opened fire on two detectives as soon as they entered the home, killing Detective Benedetti.
Officer Down: Stockton Police Officer Jimmy Inn
Stockton Police Department Officer Jimmy Inn gave his life in defence of a stranger on May 11, 2021.
Officer Down: Champaign Police Department Officer Chris Oberheim
Shortly before 3:30am on May 19, 2021, the Champaign Police Department received a call about a domestic disturbance. Officer Chris Oberheim responded, as did a second officer.
Both were met with a hail of gunfire as they exited their squad cars. They responded in kind.
Officer Down: Chandler P.D. Officer Christopher Farrar
On April 29, 2021, Chandler Police Department Officer Christopher Farrar was struck and killed by a moron driving a stolen vehicle.
Gilbert Police Officer Rico Aranda was also struck and suffered a traumatic brain injury. He remains in hospital.
Jonathon Altland was arrested and charged with First Degree murder, the first of many more charges to come.
Officer Down: Delmar Police Corporal Keith Heacook
On April 28, 2021, Delmar Police Department Corporal Keith Heacook passed away from injuries suffered when he responded to a 911 call from an elderly couple being attacked by a stranger.
Officers Down: Sergeant Chris Ward and Deputy Sheriff Logan Fox
On April 28, 2021, an individual called in a welfare check on their missing coworker.
Sergeant Chris Ward and Deputy Sheriff Logan Fox responded to the call and attended the residence in question.
As they entered the house Isaac Alton Barnes ambushed the officers. He opened fire and fatally injured both officers.
Officer Down: Decatur County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Justin Bedwell
On March 1, 2021, Decatur County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Justin Bedwell died from a gunshot wound to the chest he suffered on February 28.
Lt. Bedwell was a 19-year veteran of the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office.
Officer Down: LADP Officer Jose Luis Anzora
On February 26, 2021, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Jose Anzora was struck by a vehicle while conducting traffic control in downtown L.A.
On March 3, 2021, Officer Jose Anzora succumbed to the injuries he suffered the week prior.
Officer Down: Tampa Police Department Officer Jesse Madsen
Tampa Police Department Master Patrol Officer Jesse Madsen gave his life so others may live, but how many lives he saved will never be known.
Officer Down: Memphis Police Department Officer Nicholas Blow
On March 8, 2021, Nicholas Blow was on his way home after his shift when his vehicle was struck by a drunk driver as he pulled out of the police department parking lot. First responders rushed him to the hospital in critical condition, but his injuries were too severe.
Officer Nicholas Blow succumbed to his injuries on March 10, 2021.
Officer Down: Washington County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Kyle Jeffrey Davis
On March 25, 2021, Corporal Kyle Jeffrey Davis was assaulted by an inmate while booking one of 16 suspects into the Washington County Correctional Facility in Oklahoma.
Officer Down: U.S. Border Patrol Agent Alejandro Flores-Bañuelos
U. S. Border Patrol Agent Alejandro Flores-Bañuelos was struck by a vehicle and killed while rendering aid to a broken down motorist on March 15, 2021.
Officer Down: New York State Trooper Joseph Gallagher
On Friday, March 26, 2021, New York State Trooper Joseph Gallagher died as a result of traumatic brain injuries suffered on December 18, 2017.
On that fateful day, Trooper Gallagher stopped to assist a motorist whose vehicle broke down on an entrance ramp from the Long Island Expressway to the Sagtikos Parkway.
Despite warning flares set up by Trooper Gallagher to warn approaching traffic, Jesse Cohen was far more interested in his text messages and social media feeds than paying attention to the road.
Officer Down: Texas State Trooper Chad Walker
When Texas State Trooper Chad Walker pulled over to assist what he thought was a motorist having car trouble on Friday, March 26, 2021, the thought of a violent encounter was probably the furthest thing from his mind.
Officer Down: Boulder Police Department Officer Eric Talley
Boulder Police Department Officer Eric Talley is arguably the most high-profile law enforcement death so far this year.
American Law Enforcement Line of Duty Deaths in 2020
Last year 264 federal, state, military, tribal, and local law enforcement officers died in the line-of-duty – the highest number of line-of-duty deaths since 1974.