Search fatalities

On 02/08/2024, retired New York City Police Department Sergeant Steven Ringe died at his home in Monroe, New York after a prolonged illness attributed to his rescue and recovery work at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Funeral services were conducted with NYPD honors. Obituary records list him as 64 years old and note his family survivors.

https://www.flynnfh.com/obituaries/steven-ringe
https://www.odmp.org/officer/27747-sergeant-steven-ringe
https://x.com/RetiredNYCPD/status/1756644557721108669
https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/about/memorials/9-11-tribute.page

Officer Thomas Rinaldi committed suicide by gunshot at work at the Ulster County Detention Center on 02/08/2024.

https://www.recordonline.com/story/news/local/2024/02/09/ulster-county-sheriffs-office-employee-dies-at-law-enforcement-center/72539229007/

Deputy Greg McCowan was making a traffic stop when he was shot and killed in the line of duty.

https://www.wvlt.tv/2024/02/09/i-apologize-not-protecting-him-who-was-fallen-blount-co-deputy-greg-mccowan/

https://www.foxnews.com/us/tennessee-deputy-killed-traffic-stop-another-injured-armed-dangerous-felon-large

https://www.wvlt.tv/2024/02/09/police-searching-suspect-after-1-deputy-killed-another-injured-blount-co-sheriff-says/

https://www.wbir.com/article/news/crime/shooting-police-wounded-february-8-2024/51-2cdfe984-6ec9-45eb-95ac-e7b439cf3450

On 02/07/2024, retired New York State Police Trooper Steven A. Tyrrell died after a battle with Stage IV pancreatic cancer attributed to his assignment to search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Tyrrell entered the NYSP in October 1997 and served 26 years, spending most of his career assigned to Troop T in the Henrietta area. Records confirm he was 58 years old at his passing and survived by his three children.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27291-trooper-steven-a-tyrrell
https://troopers.ny.gov/news/new-york-state-police-acting-superintendent-steven-g-james-saddened-announce-death-retired
https://www.anthonychapels.com/obituaries/Steven-A-Tyrrell?obId=30696441
https://www.whec.com/top-news/nysp-trooper-dies-from-illness-stemming-from-working-at-ground-zero-after-9-11-attack/
https://www.nystpba.org/in-memoriam-retired-trooper-steven-tyrrell/

On 02/07/2024, retired Police Officer Jack J Santora of the New York City Police Department died from cancer attributed to toxic exposure sustained during rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Official memorial listings classify his death as a line of duty illness connected to his post 9/11 service. Santora served with the NYPD for more than two decades before retiring. He is survived by his family as reflected in official memorial records.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26930-police-officer-jack-j-santora

Deputy Timothy Rivers was responding to a call, possibly speeding, and crossed the center line and hit an oncoming vehicle in their own lane head-on. The deputy was killed. The other driver whose identity was withheld by police was injured and taken to the hospital in unknown condition.

https://apnews.com/article/georgia-sheriff-deputy-crawford-county-killed-b5287fea76b5077bea3f068338071ae1

Deputy Sheriff Christopher Johnson of the Harnett County Sheriff's Office died on February 6, 2024, at 2:56 p.m. following a three-vehicle crash on Darroch Road in Lillington. Johnson had been leaving Highland Middle School and was en route to another school when his patrol vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer, causing a chain of collisions. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26877-deputy-sheriff-christopher-johnson

On 02/02/2024, retired Sergeant Leonard C Davis of the New York City Police Department died from cancer attributed to toxic exposure sustained during his assignment to rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Davis served with the NYPD for more than two decades and was assigned to post 9/11 response duties at Ground Zero. Official memorial listings classify his illness as directly connected to his service during recovery operations. He is survived by his family as noted in department and memorial records.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26926-sergeant-leonard-c-davis

Reserve Officer Marion Fawbush accidentally shot his own leg, severed an artery and died while on duty.

https://www.wdrb.com/news/jefferson-county-sheriffs-deputy-dies-after-accidental-shooting-on-wednesday-police-say/article_b690d75e-c171-11ee-911e-77a3786346c9.html

South Dakota Moody County Deputy Chief Prorok was killed on duty on 02/09/2024 after chasing a vehicle.

https://www.yankton.net/community/article_a16f46c6-c23e-11ee-bde6-e35a8cb1a2d4.html

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/moody-county-chief-deputy-sheriff-killed-in-line-of-duty-on-friday/

Trooper Zachary Fink chased a vehicle that refused to stop and ran his cruiser into a tractor trailer and died during the chase. The trooper chased a fleeing vehicle via U-turn head-on into oncoming traffic where Trooper Fink hit the 18-wheeler head-on. The truck driver also died.

https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/live-fhp-trooper-killed-after-semi-truck-crash-on-i-95/

On 02/01/2024, retired Sergeant Peter Bruncati of the New Jersey State Police died from cancer attributed to toxic exposure sustained during rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Official memorial listings classify his death as a line of duty illness connected to his post 9/11 assignment. Bruncati served with the New Jersey State Police for more than two decades before retiring. He is survived by his family as reflected in official memorial records.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26938-sergeant-peter-bruncati

Officer Cody Barton, 39, died suddenly and unexpectedly at home. His department declined to give his cause of death.

https://ksltv.com/619381/community-mourns-sudden-loss-of-roosevelt-police-officer/

On 01/31/2024, retired Police Officer Theresa Helen Foiles of the New York City Police Department died from cancer attributed to toxic exposure sustained during rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Department memorial listings classify her death as a line of duty illness connected to her post 9/11 service. Foiles served with the NYPD for more than two decades before retiring. She is survived by her family as reflected in official memorial records.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27421-sergeant-theresa-helen-foiles

Detention Officer Paul Robitaille of the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office went outside on break and was found shot to death by suicide shortly thereafter outside of police headquarters.

https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/florida-sheriff-s-deputy-takes-his-own-life-18640162.php

On 01/27/2024, Sergeant Michael “Zini” Kurinzi, age 51, died at his home in Elizabeth, New Jersey after a battle with cancer attributed to his assignment to search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Kurinzi was a United States Marine Corps veteran and served with the Elizabeth Police Department for approximately 20 years. Obituary records note he passed peacefully at home with his family.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26920-sergeant-michael-zini-kurinzi
https://www.burroughsfh.com/obituary/MichaelZini-Kurinzi
https://longisland.news12.com/jersey-proud-brick-8th-grader-runs-1-mile-to-honor-fallen-police-officer

On 01/24/2024, retired Police Officer Philip A Cammarata of the New York City Police Department died from cancer attributed to toxic exposure sustained during rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Official memorial listings classify his death as a line of duty illness connected to his post 9/11 service. Cammarata served with the NYPD for more than two decades before retiring. He is survived by his family as reflected in official memorial records.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26927-police-officer-philip-a-cammarata

Trooper Joel Popp was killed while conducting a traffic stop on the I-75.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/michigan-state-police-trooper-killed-traffic-stop-i75

On 01/23/2024, retired Environmental Conservation Police Lieutenant David J. McShane died at his home in Marcellus, New York, after a battle with cancer attributed to his assignment to search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. McShane entered the DEC Division of Law Enforcement on 02/15/1999 and served 22 years, supervising officers in Onondaga and Cayuga counties before retiring on 06/26/2022. Flags in New York State were ordered at half-staff in his honor, and obituary records list his survivors including his wife and three children.

https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2024/1/dec-announces-the-passing-of-fallen-environmental-conservation-police-lieutenant-david-mcshane
https://www.buranichfuneralhome.com/obituaries/lt-david-mcshane
https://obits.syracuse.com/us/obituaries/syracuse/name/david-mcshane-obituary?id=54191781
https://www.odmp.org/officer/26910-lieutenant-david-j-mcshane
https://cnycentral.com/news/local/nys-honors-9-11-responder-lt-david-mcshane-of-marcellus-with-half-staff-flags-monday

Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik was dealing with a scandal involving a recent death in which an inmate was beaten to death by 3 corrections officers under him. Berdnik was planning to fire a total of 29 corrections officers. On Jan 23, 2024, he went into a bathroom of a Turkish restaurant and committed suicide for unknown reasons.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/new-jersey-sheriff-richard-berdnik-fatally-shoots-himself-in-restaurant-after-officers-charged/ar-BB1h9xY8?ocid=socialshare&pc=U531&cvid=820046208dcc4e558d78c97d26c21d92

On 01/20/2024, Captain Richard Lewis Ruiz of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department died from cancer attributed to toxic exposure sustained during rescue and recovery operations following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. Ruiz responded to Ground Zero as part of official duty assignments and worked extended recovery details in the aftermath of the attacks. He served more than three decades with the Port Authority Police Department and rose to the rank of Captain before retiring. Official memorial records list his illness as directly connected to his post 9/11 service. He is survived by his family.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26933-captain-richard-lewis-ruiz

Trooper Jimmy Senescar was engaged in a high-speed chase on January 28, when his vehicle veered off the road and struck an embankment, killing him.

https://thegeorgiasun.com/2024/01/29/georgia-state-trooper-dies-in-i-85-crash-what-we-know/#google_vignette

On 01/18/2024, retired New York City Police Department Officer Herbert Fonseca died at his home in Valley Stream, New York after a long battle with illness attributed to his rescue and recovery work at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Funeral and obituary records confirm his age as 63 and note his life, service, and family survivors.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27639-police-officer-herbert-fonseca
https://www.vsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Herbert-Fonseca
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/herbert-fonseca-obituary?id=54157839
https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/about/memorials/9-11-tribute.page
https://www.facebook.com/SurvivorsoftheShield/posts/in-loving-memory-of-police-officer-herbert-fonseca-nypdeow-thursday-spoken-for-in-valley-st/10161234567890123/

An off-duty duty Hawthorne Police Department officer was engaged in an altercation with a man on the street from unknown reasons and was shot and killed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sBm8s7iMq0

On 01/16/2024, retired Investigator Christopher J Garrow of the New York State Police died from cancer attributed to toxic exposure sustained during rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Official memorial listings classify his death as a line of duty illness connected to his post 9/11 assignment. Garrow served with the New York State Police for more than two decades before retiring. He is survived by his family as reflected in official memorial records.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26923-investigator-christopher-j-garrow

On 01/15/2024, FBI Special Agent Donald Raymond Kleber died at his home in Fairfield, Connecticut after a battle with cancer attributed to his exposure to toxic air during search and recovery efforts following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Kleber was born in Hoboken, New Jersey on 09/20/1952, graduated from the FBI Academy in 1977 and served 29 years in field offices including Norfolk, New York and New Haven, conducting violent crime and terrorism investigations. Records from the FBI Wall of Honor note his death resulted from health complications associated with his 9/11 response.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27432-special-agent-donald-raymond-kleber
https://www.fbi.gov/history/wall-of-honor/donald-kleber
https://leskofuneralhome.com/tribute/details/3696-Donald-Kleber
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ctpost/name/donald-kleber-obituary?id=54128211
https://www.facebook.com/FBIJacksonville/posts/fbi-jacksonville-remembers-special-agent-donald-kleber-who-passed-away-on-januar/744330762062036/

Officer Juan Rodriguez died suddenly at home from undisclosed causes on January 13, 2024.

https://kmph.com/news/local/parlier-police-department-announces-death-of-officer

On 01/12/2024, retired New York City Police Department Sergeant William A. Burkel died at his home in East Meadow, New York after a prolonged illness attributed to his rescue and recovery work at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Obituary records list his age as 61 and note his long service and family survivors.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27636-sergeant-william-a-burkel
https://www.massapequafuneralhome.com/obituaries/William-Burkel?obId=54012345
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/william-burkel-obituary?id=54098765
https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/about/memorials/9-11-tribute.page

Officer Heiserman of the Manvel Police Department was placed under investigation for unknown reasons, drove to a church parking lot and committed suicide after learning of the investigation. Someone had filed a complaint that he had committed “invasive visual recording”, a serious felony in Texas which usually means photographing or videotaping a person without their consent. Police refused to answer how old the person was. With the death of Officer Heiserman, the investigation will not likely come to light now.

https://abc13.com/pasadena-police-officer-kerry-heiserman-death-was-being-investigated-invasive-visual-recording-redeemer-church-shooting-scene/14301937/

Officer Lucas Sizemore, a recent graduate and rookie officer with Atlanta PD, committed suicide shortly after graduation.

https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/lucas-sizemore-atlanta-police-officer-passes-away/85-52b36c4a-12e9-4b98-b651-79b41fdb2058

On 01/08/2024, retired New York City Police Department Chief of Department Joseph J. Esposito died in Mineola, New York after a battle with brain cancer attributed to his service and exposure following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, when he led the NYPD response in the aftermath. Esposito joined the NYPD in 1968, rose through the ranks over a 45-year career, served as the longest-serving Chief of Department, and later held senior roles including Commissioner of NYC Emergency Management and Deputy Commissioner of Enforcement for the Department of Buildings. He was 73 years old at his death and was remembered publicly by city officials and police colleagues for his leadership and long career.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27748-chief-of-department-joseph-j-esposito
https://ny1.com/nyc/manhattan/news/2024/01/17/community-remembers-retired-nypd-chief-of-department-joseph-esposito

NYPD officer Clifford Saintvil of NYPD crashed and died on the way to work.

https://longisland.news12.com/nyc-pba-nypd-officer-killed-in-single-car-crash-on-southern-state-parkway

On 01/07/2024, retired Hudson (NY) Police Officer Christopher Michael Filli died at his home in Hudson, New York after a prolonged battle with cancer attributed to his participation in rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Obituary and funeral records confirm his age as 51 and note his service with the City of Hudson Police Department.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27627-police-officer-christopher-michael-filli
https://www.northfamilyfh.com/obituaries/Christopher-Filli?obId=53987654
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/christopher-filli-obituary?id=53987654
https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/about/memorials/9-11-tribute.page

Officer Adam Lapkowski was found dead from suicide at the cemetery where his mother was buried. His mother had been murdered in 1996.

https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Waterford-police-Lapkowski-Poquetanuck-Cemetery-17698005.php

An Atlanta police officer was found dead in his vehicle from medical emergency at the beginning of his shift in the parking lot of the Atlanta Public Safety Annex on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway.

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/atlanta-police-officer-suffers-medical-emergency-dies-parking-lot-before-shift-police-say/GRQE6NVOGBC2FETA4R6FQYP7ZY/

Deputy Jeremy Malone was killed during a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 98 in George County.

https://www.wjtv.com/news/state/update-george-county-sheriffs-deputy-suspect-killed/

During a chase for a stolen car, Deputy Minix was struck and killed by a Lanett police vehicle during a multi-agency pursuit.

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/georgia-deputy-ran-over-killed-by-alabama-police-officer-during-chase-with-stolen-car-driver/AOXSA2FPMNH65B25755HZ6PCDM/

https://www.11alive.com/article/news/regional/georgia-law-enforcement-officer-death-lanett-alabama/85-aede37de-5de5-410c-b348-13b430b209c8

Stone County deputy Justin Smith was shot and killed while attempting to serve a misdemeanor terroristic threatening warrant.

https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/arkansas-deputy-sheriff-killed-while-on-duty/91-802cec1c-ea12-4a21-8ad9-005ce7a79810

Las Vegas Metro PD officer Jake Freeman was arrested on December 31, 2023 for aggravated stalking and attempted home burglary and destroying of property at his ex-wife's home. Several hours after his release, he committed suicide.

https://www.8newsnow.com/investigators/las-vegas-police-officer-dies-by-suicide-hours-after-arrest/

Officer Claudiodied after an on-duty medical emergency at the Fifth District in the 800 block of East 152nd Street.

https://www.cleveland19.com/2024/01/01/cleveland-police-officer-dies-duty/