Search fatalities

On 09/26/2024, Patrol Officer Dale Coski died from complications of injuries she sustained after being struck by a vehicle while assisting a motorist on Interstate 70 on 09/12/1983; she lived with the resulting disabilities before passing in 2024.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27316-patrol-officer-dale-coski

Deputy Asson Hacker, a 33-year-old officer with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, died on September 23, 2024, following participation in a physically demanding training exercise known as the "Big Fight" at the Southwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Evansville. This exercise required recruits to engage in simulated combat with veteran officers.
.
During his session, Deputy Hacker was paired with a senior officer who had more extensive combat training and a significant weight advantage. The encounter lasted approximately seven minutes, during which Hacker exhibited signs of severe exhaustion. Shortly after completing the exercise, he collapsed and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
.
The Vanderburgh County Coroner's Office attributed Hacker's death to "exertional sickling" caused by his sickle cell trait, classifying it as a natural cause. However, medical experts have questioned this conclusion, noting that Hacker had no prior history of complications from the condition, even during strenuous activities such as college basketball and bodybuilding.
.
Concerns have also been raised about the safety and relevance of the "Big Fight" training exercise. On the same day, another recruit suffered severe injuries during the exercise, highlighting potential systemic issues with the program. Critics argue that such drills may instill a combative mindset in officers and pose unnecessary risks to participants.
.
In summary, while the official cause of Deputy Hacker’s death has been attributed to natural causes, the circumstances surrounding the training exercise and the subsequent handling of the incident warrant further investigation to ensure accountability and the implementation of safer training practices.

https://apnews.com/article/4d4b8e5c590938b22f4b59ee34fac3d9
https://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/new-details-revealed-from-wrongful-death-lawsuit-in-vanderburgh-county/

Officer David Lee of the St. Louis Police Department was attending to a vehicle crash on the I-70 in St. Louis when he was hit by a car and killed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU4hRldZCgo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TcJ_OF2OMo

On September 21, 2024, Lawrence David Orso, a 46-year-old San Diego Police Department officer, was arrested in Murrieta by the California Highway Patrol on suspicion of DUI with a reported blood alcohol level of 0.23%. He was booked at the Cois Byrd Detention Center and released on bail at approximately 8:26 a.m. He was later found unresponsive in the jail parking lot around 9:53 a.m. and pronounced dead at the scene. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department reported no signs of foul play. In 2025, Orso’s family filed a federal lawsuit against Riverside County, alleging wrongful death and negligence in his detention and release process, and seeking accountability for his preventable death.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-07-08/a-san-diego-police-officer-was-found-dead-outside-a-murrieta-jail-after-a-dui-arrest-his-family-is-suing

A Hillsboro County deputy collided with a flatbed trailer and died.

https://www.teamhcso.com/News/PressRelease/13a08a9a-a9c4-4ec9-a41a-cc953446b503/es-

On or around 09/20/2024, a police academy recruit with the San José Police Department died by suicide using a city-issued handgun while attending the department’s 26-week academy program. The recruit was considered a city employee during the training period. Sources say the recruit was grappling with personal life issues and was in a relationship with a fellow recruit. The department conducted an investigation, found no evidence of foul play, and declined to release further details citing privacy of the family.

https://sanjosespotlight.com/san-jose-police-recruit-died-by-suicide-with-city-gun/

CBP agent Brandon Brown was killed in a two-car collision on his way to work in Nueces county on September 19, 2024.

https://www.kingsvillerecord.com/news/border-patrol-officer-dies-in-2-car-crash/article_1e75a0b4-75f1-11ef-a7cb-9b21bc730573.html

Houston police were called by a woman who said she heard gunshots and that a bullet had come through her ceiling. Police arrived and found the upstairs door unlocked and a 27-year-old female dead with multiple gunshot wants to her head. In the bedroom, police found her boyfriend, a 33-year-old Harris County patrol officer, also dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Police have not publicly identified either of them so far.

https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2024/09/17/police-believe-harris-county-deputy-constable-involved-in-murder-suicide/

Trooper Kevin Ramirez Vasquez was hit by a vehicle and killed on duty while he was investigating a vehicle crash on the road.

https://abc13.com/post/texas-dps-trooper-killed-ector-county-crash-kevin-ramirez-vazquez-highway-302/15381913/

Deputy Josh Phipps of the Russell County Sheriff’s office chased a man on foot home. His agency tried to arrest. He exchanged gunfire and both the officer and the man being pursued were killed.

https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/officer-reportedly-shot-in-incident-in-russell-spring-ky

A San Francisco Police officer took his life iafter admitting to falsifying race data in traffic stops. The officer had been one of the department's most prolific ticket writers and had misrepresented the race of individuals during traffic stops. This triggered an ongoing investigation into the possible tainting of data used to combat racial profiling. Despite his death, the investigation continues.

• https://sfstandard.com/2024/10/10/cop-investigated-for-falsifying-race-data-in-traffic-stops-killed-himself/
• https://brightgram.com/san-francisco-ca/5928535/cop-who-faked-race-data-in-traffic-stops-kills-himself/

On 09/14/2024, Sergeant Robert S. Fawcett, a retired member of the New York City Police Department who served for 21 years including as a detective and sergeant, died from cancer attributed to his participation in the World Trade Center search and recovery efforts following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27734-sergeant-robert-s-fawcett
https://matthewfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/2911/Robert-Fawcett/obituary.html
https://www.police1.com/officer-down/he-was-a-fighter-ret-nypd-sergeant-dies-from-9-11-related-illness/
https://vinnews.com/2024/09/21/retired-nypd-sergeant-who-led-9-11-recovery-efforts-dies-of-related-illness/

 A motorist traveling behind the motor carrier officer escorting a semi truck suddenly stopped, causing a white Ford explored crash into the back of it. The driver of the white truck died. Officer Kerstetter died in the hospital on 09/15/2024 from injuries sustained in the crash.

https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2024/09/16/michigan-state-police-officer-dies-injuries-lower-michigan-crash/

On September 12, 2024, Massachusetts State Police recruit Enrique Delgado-Garcia, 25, became unresponsive during a defensive tactics training exercise involving boxing at the Massachusetts State Police Academy in New Braintree. Despite immediate medical attention and transportation to UMass Memorial Medical Center, he died the following day.
.
The academy's on-site medical team responded promptly when Delgado-Garcia became unresponsive, determining he required urgent medical care.
.
Family members have raised concerns about the circumstances leading to his death, reporting that he suffered severe brain trauma, a neck fracture, and broken teeth. His mother questioned the intensity of the training, stating, "I don’t understand why it was so rough if it was just training."
.
The incident has prompted an independent investigation. Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. recused his office due to Delgado-Garcia's prior employment there as a victim witness advocate. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell appointed veteran trial attorney David Meier to lead the investigation, emphasizing the need for an objective review.
.
In response to the incident, the Massachusetts State Police suspended full-contact boxing training activities among recruits until further notice. Col. John Mawn Jr., head of the state police, stated, "The Massachusetts State Police grieves the tragic loss of Trainee Enrique Delgado-Garcia, and we offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."

Reports have surfaced alleging grueling and hazing-like conditions at the academy. A former trainee, Giovani Jn-Baptiste, claimed he experienced bullying and racist remarks during his time at the academy, describing the environment as mentally abusive. He came forward and outlined his personal ordeal with racist hazing during training by the same LEO in which he was singled out to crawl on the floor and mop it with his clothing and body and other forms of humiliation. State Police have denied these allegations, asserting they do not tolerate any form of hazing, discrimination, or misconduct.
.
Delgado-Garcia, originally from Puerto Rico, moved to Worcester at a young age. He earned an undergraduate degree from Westfield State University and served as a victim witness advocate in the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office before joining the State Police Academy in April 2024. He was set to graduate on October 9.
.
This tragic event has raised critical questions about the safety and oversight of training practices at the Massachusetts State Police Academy. The ongoing independent investigation aims to provide clarity and ensure accountability.
.
Fred Taylor, head of the Worcester NAACP, urged the media to look into the training exercises of MSP.

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/massachusetts-state-police-recruits-death-what-we-know-about-the-investigation/3489726/
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2024/09/19/reports-emerge-of-grueling-conditions-at-state-police-academy-following-recruits-death/
https://www.nbcboston.com/investigations/it-was-really-hurtful-former-msp-trainee-who-knew-dead-recruit-details-racist-bullying-allegations-at-academy/3491841/
https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-state-police-trainee-enrique-delgado-garcia-extreme-training-friend-interview/62245424
https://fallriverreporter.com/massachusetts-state-police-release-details-after-academy-trainee-passes-away-after-training-exercise/
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/massachusetts-state-police-recruit-dies-boxing-academy/
https://apnews.com/article/massachusetts-state-police-death-training-exercise-35d7304e3b01eb1e3e5d3c7785308e1a
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2024/09/23/boxing-training-suspended-massachusetts-police-academy-recruit-death/
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/25-investigates-source-reveals-new-details-death-beloved-msp-recruit/SEOJYOCIJZCYXMGIC3JXBGZ5TY/
https://www.newsweek.com/massachusetts-police-academy-boxing-training-injury-death-1957860
https://apnews.com/article/massachusetts-state-police-recruit-death-boxing-a075dbdaf139047fcd724945bf1d0f9c
https://apnews.com/article/8b7aa3bbc2828d5fcd0eda0c898605ff
https://people.com/massachusetts-state-police-recruit-dies-after-boxing-training-exercise-8713231
https://nypost.com/2024/09/15/us-news/mass-state-police-recruit-sworn-in-as-trooper-on-deathbed/
https://apnews.com/article/c25823025b5fa0d6dd27518a91315040

Corrections officer Addiel Ortiz crashed his motorcycle into a family vehicle, killing Easton Beisler in the backseat. The officer died also.

https://www.wbfuneralhome.com/obituaries/addiel-ortiz

Officer Jeremy Boykins, a 29-year-old member of the West Palm Beach Police Department, died on September 10, 2024, after experiencing a medical emergency during a training exercise. On September 9, Officer Boykins participated in tryouts for the department's Emergency Field Force team, a unit trained to handle civil unrest and riot situations. During the tryouts, he fell ill and was transported to Good Samaritan Medical Center, where he underwent surgery that evening. Despite medical efforts, he died the following morning.
.
The specific nature of the medical emergency that led to Officer Boykins' death has not been disclosed, prompting questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The department has not provided detailed information regarding the events leading up to his illness during the training exercise. This lack of transparency raises concerns about the safety protocols in place during such high-intensity training sessions and whether adequate medical screenings and precautions were implemented to prevent such tragedies.
.
While Officer Boykins' death is officially attributed to medical complications following a training exercise, the absence of detailed information about the incident necessitates a thorough investigation.
 

https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-police-officer-dies-emergency-tryouts-boykins/62139771
https://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/west-palm-beach/west-palm-beach-police-department-mourns-loss-of-dedicated-officer
https://www.police1.com/officer-down/fla-officer-dies-after-becoming-ill-during-tryout-for-department-field-force-team
https://cbs12.com/news/local/west-palm-beach-police-department-wpbpd-mourns-loss-of-officer-who-fell-ill-during-tryouts-good-samaritan-medical-center-emergency-field-force-tryouts-south-florida-news-september-10-2024
https://bocanewsnow.com/2024/09/10/young-palm-beach-county-police-officer-dies/

Former officer Antonio Caprara was recently fired for undisclosed reasons from Toms River PD. On 09/08/2024, he was killed in a crash when his motorcycle collided with a dirt bike.

https://dailyvoice.com/nj/toms-river/south-toms-river-officer-killed-in-parkway-crash-treated-friends-like-gold-fundraiser/

Deputy Marbella Martinez of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s office was found strangled to death in a home that she shared with her father. Her father had been obsessively texting surveilling and stalking her, which caused her to move into a hotel days prior.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/07/us/marbella-martinez-utah-death/index.html

A veteran Chicago police officer was found dead in his vehicle on grand Boulevard. He reportedly had a gunshot wound to his head. At this time, it is unknown whether this represents a suicide or whether he was shot by another person. He has not been identified yet other than as an 18 year veteran of Chicago PD.
 

https://chicago.suntimes.com/police-reform/2024/04/05/chicago-police-officer-suicide-immigrant-family-man

On 09/04/2024, Officer First Class Mark S. Reynolds of the South Carolina State Transport Police died after experiencing a medical emergency during training activities earlier that day, marking the first line-of-duty death in the department’s history.

https://scdps.sc.gov/news/2024/09092024

Officer Zane Coolidge of the Phoenix PD and a second officer were foot-chasing a man who was allegedly breaking into vehicles. The officers engaged in a. shootout with him and officer Coolidge was injured. He died four days later in the hospital from these injuries.

https://apnews.com/article/police-officer-fatally-shot-02e72a0bf50ce44623240e23d85f0611

Deputy Maher Husseini was targeted, shot and killed while on the way to work.

https://www.fox26houston.com/news/harris-county-deputy-shot-precinct-4-deputy-murdered-his-way-work-suspect-vehicle-located

On September 2, 2024, Corporal Raymond Kuuchi, a 44-year-old officer with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Police Services, suffered a fatal heart attack during a training exercise at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The incident occurred around 11:00 a.m. during a Ground Defense and Recovery/Jujitsu training session. Despite immediate life-saving measures, Corporal Kuuchi could not be resuscitated.
.
Ground Defense and Recovery/Jujitsu training is known for its strenuous physical demands, which can pose significant risks.
.
In summary, while Corporal Kuuchi's death has been attributed to a heart attack during training, it is imperative to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. This includes reviewing medical screening processes, training protocols, and emergency response procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of law enforcement officers during training exercises.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27185-corporal-raymond-kuuchi
https://www.police1.com/officer-down/veterans-affairs-police-officer-dies-after-suffering-heart-attack-during-training
https://www.theexodusfc.com/obituary/Corporal-Kuuchi
https://www.gofundme.com/f/corporal-raymond-kuuchi-va-police-officer

Corporal Brandon Schreiber succumbed to gunshot wounds he received after a vehicle pursuit on September 1, 2024.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27140-corporal-brandon-schreiber

Officer Phylicia Carson crashed into a tree in a single-vehicle accident and died while chasing a motorist.

https://krcgtv.com/news/local/police-vehicle-crash-in-osage-beach-pursuit-ends-in-officers-death

On 08/31/2024, Lieutenant Vincent J. Caruana of the New York City Police Department died from cancer attributed to his participation in search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27735-lieutenant-vincent-j-caruana
https://www.scaliahome.com/m/obituaries/Vincent-Caruana/
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/vincent-caruana-obituary?id=56198926
https://www.nycpba.org/in-memoriam/lieutenant-vincent-caruana/

A man walked up to the vehicle Officer Burks was sitting in and opened fire, killing him.

https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/3-dallas-police-officers-shot-oak-cliff-shooting-suspect-killed/

Metro Police Officer Wayne David in Washington, DC picked up a gun he found in a storm drain. It went off and killed him.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/d-c-police-officer-accidentally-shot-killed-retrieving-gun-storm-drain-wayne-david/

Officer Timothy Williams died of a sudden medical emergency during a traffic stop.

https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/law-enforcement/bexar-co-deputy-dies-texas-police/273-755ae64a-14fd-4d81-81ac-57a11894d0d6

Sergeant Moises Martinez of the Shafter PD died from undisclosed causes on 8/28/2024.

https://www.turnto23.com/news/in-your-neighborhood/shafter-wasco-lost-hills/law-enforcement-community-mourns-loss-of-shafter-sgt-moises-martinez

San Diego PD chased a vehicle that was allegedly seen speeding. The Chase escalated to high speeds and police alleged that they called off the pursuit moments before a catastrophic impact that killed both the reportedly juvenile driver of the fleeing vehicle as well as San Diego officer Austin Machitar.
 

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/clairemont-mesa-multi-car-crash-sdpd-vehicle/3607025/

https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/two-killed-including-sdpd-officer-in-crash-after-high-speed-pursuit/

Officer Brendan Myers of the Lebanon police department died in an off-duty single vehicle crash on Airport Way on 8/27/2024.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/off-duty-lebanon-police-officer-killed-in-crash/ar-AA1pxNkb

Officer Jesus Jesse Cano of the Waco Police Department died suddenly and unexpectedly from undisclosed causes on 08/27/2024.

https://www.kwtx.com/2024/08/27/waco-police-department-mourning-loss-officer-jesus-jesse-cano/

On August 26, 2024, Deputy Sheriff Jordan J. Kagehiro, 32, was found deceased in his Honolulu residence during a welfare check. At the time of his death, Kagehiro was under administrative investigation, and his police powers had been restricted since June 10, 2024. The investigation involved an incident that led to the suspension of Kagehiro and four other deputies; specific details of the incident have not been disclosed. The Honolulu Police Department is investigating his death as an unattended death, with the cause pending determination by the Medical Examiner.

1. https://www.staradvertiser.com/2024/08/27/hawaii-news/sheriffs-deputy-32-is-found-dead-in-his-home/
2. https://www.thegardenisland.com/2024/08/31/hawaii-news/suspended-sheriffs-deputy-allegedly-pressured-before-death/
3. https://law.hawaii.gov/blog/2024/08/26/dle-news-release-young-deputy-sheriff-death/

On 08/26/2024, Detective Michael J. Pisano Jr. of the New York City Police Department died from cancer attributed to his involvement in rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27736-detective-michael-j-pisano-jr
https://www.nycpba.org/in-memoriam/detective-michael-pisano-jr/
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/40984762/michael-pisano-jr
https://www.nytimes.com/obituaries/2024/08/30/michael-pisano-jr-nyc-police.html

Officer Javonta Flugence was killed in a car crash. Also killed together with him for his wife and daughter.

https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/crash-kills-rayne-police-detective-his-fiancee-and-daughter/article_eea54e42-6228-11ef-87af-d3158a5d97aa.html

Investigator Taylor Jaimeson Bristow of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office was fatally injured during a warrant service on August 20, 2024, while assisting the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with a child sexual exploitation investigation. The wanted individual opened the door and allowed the officers to enter the residence. Once inside, the individual attempted suicide, firing a handgun, which also struck Investigator Bristow.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27123-investigator-taylor-jaimeson-bristow

SRO Joel Markowski died suddenly from undisclosed causes.

https://www.whio.com/news/local/wonderful-person-community-mourns-sudden-death-school-resource-officer/FY3Z2F3QRNBQTEJDNKSMBGN77I/

On August 19, 2024, Cadet Michelle Lea Strube, a 45-year-old recruit with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), died during routine pre-service training at the Robertson Unit Training Center in Abilene, Texas. Strube had joined the agency earlier that month and was undergoing a mandatory six-week training program required for all cadets before commencing duties as a Correctional Officer.
.
Details regarding the specific circumstances of Strube's death have not been disclosed, leaving questions about the nature of the training exercise and the medical response provided. The lack of transparency raises concerns about the safety protocols in place during such training sessions and whether adequate measures were taken to prevent such incidents.

https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/news/TDCJ_mourns_death_of_cadet_strube.html
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/colorado-city-tx/michelle-strube-11949953

Patrolman James Crowley of the Chicago Police Department died on August 22, 2024, after succumbing to injuries sustained in a 1987 crash. At the time of the accident, Crowley was responding to a call with fellow officers when their patrol car was struck by a drunk driver. The crash resulted in severe head injuries for Crowley, leaving him unable to walk and confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. The driver of the vehicle involved was convicted of reckless homicide and sentenced to three years in prison​.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27133-patrolman-james-crowley