Search fatalities

On 12/08/2024, Lieutenant David E. LaJoie died from cancer attributed to his participation in the search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. LaJoie’s death has been publicly memorialized as a 9/11-related illness for an NYPD officer who developed illness from toxic exposure during rescue and recovery operations.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27722-lieutenant-david-e-lajoie
https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/about/memorials/9-11-tribute.page
https://branchfh.com/obits/david-e-lajoie/

On 12/06/2024, Sergeant Ryan Moan, a 33-year-old officer with the Manchester Police Department, was found deceased in his vehicle at the Hatch Hill Road boat launch in Vernon, Connecticut. The Vernon Police Department confirmed that Moan died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Earlier that day, Moan was arrested by the Manchester Police Department on charges including risk of injury to a minor, enticing a minor by computer, misrepresentation of age to entice a minor, and tampering with physical evidence. The arrest warrant remains sealed, so specific details of the allegations are undisclosed. Authorities confirmed that the charges were unrelated to his duties as a school resource officer and that the alleged victim was neither a student nor a resident of Manchester.

Moan was released on a $450,000 bond and placed on unpaid leave following his arrest. He was scheduled to appear for arraignment on January 3, 2025.

Manchester officials expressed shock and outrage at the allegations. Town Manager Steve Stephanou and Police Chief William Darby stated that the alleged actions were in direct contrast to the department’s values of integrity, compassion, and fairness, and assured the public of transparency throughout the investigation.

https://nypost.com/2024/12/08/us-news/connecticut-cop-commits-suicide-after-his-own-department-arrested-him-for-enticing-a-minor/
https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/hartford-county/manchester/manchester-connecticut-police-sergeant-arrest-messaging-minor-online/520-54627df6-a5db-40bf-a893-981850c4f467

On 12/05/2024, Sergeant First Class Steven C. Tiboni, a retired trooper of the New Jersey State Police, died from cancer related to his service. Tiboni enlisted in the New Jersey State Police in November 1998, served in multiple assignments including the Marine Bureau and Emergency Management Bureau, earned a NJSP Unit Citation for 9/11 rescue and recovery efforts, and retired after 25 years of service.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27562-sergeant-first-class-steven-c-tiboni
https://baileyfuneral.com/tribute/details/3405/Steven-Tiboni/obituary.html
https://www.facebook.com/njspformertroopers/posts/we-regret-to-announce-the-passing-of-sfc-ret-steven-tiboni-5799-on-december-5-20/624795306542631/

On 11/29/2024, Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddins, 40, responded to a report of an individual seen leaving a bank on the 800 block of Lake Street with a firearm. Upon arrival, Detective Reddins confronted the armed individual, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Detective Reddins was critically injured, sustaining a gunshot wound to his left side, and was transported to Loyola University Medical Center, where he died from his injuries. The individual was shot in the leg and taken into custody; charges are pending. Detective Reddins had served with the Oak Park Police Department since May 2019.

https://www.oakpark.com/2024/11/29/oak-park-police-officer-dies-in-shooting/
https://abc7chicago.com/post/oak-park-il-shooting-today-officer-shot-critically-injured-lake-street-suspect-wounded-police-say/15603128/

On 11/28/2024, at approximately 11:50 a.m., Nicholas Griego, a 31-year-old Community Services Officer with the Palm Springs Police Department, was riding a motorcycle near the intersection of Cathedral Canyon Drive and East Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City. A pickup truck driven by another employee of the Palm Springs Police Department collided with Griego’s motorcycle. The crash also involved a third vehicle, which sustained damage during the incident.

Emergency responders pronounced Griego dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck remained on-site and is cooperating with the Cathedral City Police Department's investigation. Authorities closed the intersection for several hours to collect evidence and examine the circumstances of the collision. Investigators are asking the public for any additional information to assist in the case.

1. https://kesq.com/news/2024/11/28/community-service-officer-killed-in-crash-in-cathedral-city-thanksgiving-day/
2. https://www.yahoo.com/news/fatal-three-vehicle-crash-reported-213747723.html
3. https://mynewsla.com/crime/2024/11/28/31-year-old-motorcyclist-dead-in-cathedral-city-collision/

On 11/26/2024, Jonathan Fuller, a 52-year-old Deputy Chief of the Rockmart Police Department, died suddenly and unexpectedly. Deputy Chief Fuller served the Rockmart Police Department for over 11 years and was widely recognized for his dedication to public safety, mentorship of younger officers, and advocacy for mental health awareness. His death has deeply impacted the Rockmart community, with officials and colleagues remembering him as a beacon of leadership and integrity.

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/rockmart-deputy-chief-dies-leaving-lasting-impact-department-community
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/georgia/unwavering-dedication-georgia-community-mourns-death-assistant-police-chief/3QINF5NHPRC4HPEEEJNTTR3LZU/
https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/ga/rockmart/deputy-jonathan-fuller-18928840

Officer Cooper Dawson of the Greenville Police Department was killed on 11/25/2024, while attempting to apprehend an individual who fled from a traffic stop. Around 8 p.m., Dawson initiated the stop in the 3500 block of Picket Street. The individual fled on foot, prompting Dawson to pursue him into a wooded area behind residential homes. There, the individual ambushed Dawson, shooting him multiple times. Despite suffering critical gunshot wounds, Dawson returned fire, hitting the individual. Both were transported to a hospital, where Officer Dawson died from his injuries after being airlifted to Medical City Plano. The other man involved has not been identified, and his condition has not yet been disclosed. This is the first line of duty death for the Greenville Police Department in over 100 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PPaQ_d6pAM

On 11/24/2024, Senior Officer Specialist Louis Pepe died from complications of injuries from a line of duty assault at the Metropolitan Correctional Center at 150 Park Row in Lower Manhattan. On 11/01/2000, an incarcerated man and another detained person attacked Pepe while he was escorting the incarcerated man back to his cell, and reporting described hot sauce thrown into Pepe’s eyes and a sharpened comb used to stab him in the left eye. Reporting and federal court records described severe head and brain injury from the assault, and Pepe lived with those injuries for years before his death.

https://beta.odmp.org/officer/27306-senior-officer-specialist-louis-pepe
https://cpof.org/catastrophic-assistance/federal-corrections-officer-louis-pepe/
https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nys/pressreleases/August10/salimmahmoudmamduhsalimresentencingpr.pdf
https://www.bop.gov/news/20250508-2025-correctional-workers-week-memorial-service.jsp
https://www.gofundme.com/f/memorial-for-louis-pepe-a-life-of-service

Deputy Nick Green, a seven-year veteran of the LaRue County Sheriff's Office, suffered a medical issue while on duty on 11/23/2024, resulting in his death. The specific cause of the medical issue has not been disclosed.

https://www.wave3.com/2024/11/23/larue-county-deputy-dies-after-suffering-medical-issue-duty/

Jesse Branch, an on-duty Red Lake Tribal police officer was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 89 near Red Lake, MN, on November 22, 2024. The collision involved another vehicle, and both individuals in the crash died from their injuries.  Police identified the other person who died as Alan Lussier Jr. Authorities are investigating the incident.

https://www.startribune.com/off-duty-red-lake-tribal-police-officer-one-of-two-killed-in-two-vehicle-crash/601187808

On 11/22/2024, Deputy Constable Katherine Lynn Hutson died from injuries sustained when her patrol vehicle was struck by a suspected impaired driver while she was working an extra traffic control detail on Interstate 10 in Houston; her 7-year-old daughter, who was in the vehicle with her, also died in the crash.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27219-deputy-constable-katherine-hutson
https://abc13.com/post/documents-show-suspect-admits-he-was-drinking-before-crash-killed-harris-county-constable-pct-5-deputy-daughter/15678599/
https://www.kbtx.com/2024/11/23/off-duty-deputy-her-7-year-old-daughter-killed-crash-involving-suspected-drunken-driver/
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/katherine-kacey-hutson-constable-funeral-19958969.php

A deputy from the Elmore County Sheriff's Office died by suicide in the parking lot of the Fultondale Event Center while attending law enforcement training. Authorities confirmed the death as a gunshot wound, and it is believed to be a suicide. The deputy had been experiencing mental health issues.

https://abc3340.com/news/local/fultondale-police-department-investigation-law-enforcement-training-community-center-officer-shooting-suicide-mental-health-awareness-investigation-event-center

An officer with the Flint Police Department passed away on November 21, 2024. The exact cause of death was not disclosed at the time of reporting, but it was confirmed by local officials.

https://www.abc12.com/news/local/an-officer-with-the-flint-police-department-has-passed-away/article_76022592-6baa-11ef-a0c6-1f5ffb4c5d59.html

On November 21, 2024, Deputies Paez, Waller, and Diaz were struck by an SUV while conducting speed enforcement. Paez and Waller died the same day; Diaz succumbed to injuries on November 25. The crash occurred when the SUV attempted to avoid a slower-moving vehicle. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. All three deputies were long-serving members of the motor unit.

https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/3rd-palm-beach-deputy-dies-days-after-crash-that-killed-2-fellow-motormen/3480467/

On 11/21/2024, retired NYPD Lieutenant Sandro J. Rizzotti died from a cancer illness attributed to his search and recovery work as a first responder at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27723-lieutenant-sandro-rizzotti
https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/about/memorials/9-11-tribute.page
https://www.odmp.org/agency/2758-new-york-city-police-department-new-york

Cpl. Luis Paez was killed in a crash during a police chase in Loxahatchee, Florida. He was responding to an ongoing pursuit when the crash occurred. The officers' vehicle was involved in a fatal collision, leading to his death at the scene.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27216-corporal-luis-paez

Deputy Ralph Waller was killed during a police chase in Loxahatchee, Florida. While involved in the pursuit, his vehicle was struck in a fatal collision, leading to his death.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27215-deputy-sheriff-ralph-butch-waller-jr

Officer Tyler Murrey, 31, passed away on November 16, 2024. He served with the Napoleon Police Department since 2018 and contributed to multiple specialized teams.

https://www.wane.com/top-stories/police-officer-killed-on-duty-in-napoleon-ohio/

Officer Jerome Scholtz was off duty and on his motorcycle when he crashed and died in Irving, Texas.

https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/irving-police-officer-army-veteran-dies-off-duty-crash/

Sergeant Peter Foltz of the Kenner PD was on his way to court to testify in a murder case when he died from a medical emergency.

https://www.wdsu.com/article/kenner-police-officer-dies-line-duty-medical-incident/62907620

On 11/14/2024, Detective Annmarie Smith of the New York City Police Department died from a 9/11 related illness attributed to her service in rescue and recovery efforts following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

https://www.nycpba.org/in-memoriam/detective-annmarie-smith/
https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/about/memorials/9-11-tribute.page
https://www.odmp.org/agency/2758-new-york-city-police-department-new-york

On 11/14/2024, Police Officer Gerard Connors of the New York City Police Department died from a cancer illness linked to his assignment in rescue and recovery operations following the September 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27731-police-officer-gerard-connors

Deputy Cailee Campbell was on her way to a call when she crashed, rolled her vehicle and died.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27161-deputy-sheriff-cailee-campbell

Buncombe County Detention Center Officer Emmanuel Bader was killed in a crash on November 12, 2024, while driving 100 mph in a 35 mph zone. His vehicle struck a rock pillar on New Stock Road. The other officer was unharmed.

https://wlos.com/news/local/new-crash-report-reveals-buncombe-county-officer-killed-accident-vehicle-car-speeding-100-mph-in-35-mph-limit-emmanuel-bader-new-stock-road

On 11/11/2024, NYPD Lieutenant Frank DeBenedetto died after a cancer illness linked in official memorial listings to his work connected to the World Trade Center rescue and recovery effort, after a 24 year NYPD career that included assignment to the Staten Island District Attorney Squad.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27725-lieutenant-frank-debenedetto
https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/about/memorials/9-11-tribute.page
https://www.nycpba.org/in-memoriam/
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/33699840/frank-debenedetto

On November 9, 2024, Correctional Officer Christopher Martinez, 27, of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), died in a car crash on Highway 99, south of Pixley, while en route to work. Officer Martinez began his CDCR career in November 2023 as a cadet at the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center. After graduating, he was assigned to the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility at California State Prison, Corcoran, in March 2024. He is survived by his wife and 9-month-old child.

https://www.corrections1.com/line-of-duty-death-lodd/calif-corrections-officer-dies-in-crash-while-driving-to-work
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-martinez-family-after-tragic-loss
https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/insidecdcr/2024/11/12/christopher-martinez-correctional-officer

On 11/09/2024, Chief Deputy Burl Wesley Everman died after suffering a fatal heart attack and crashing while responding to emergency law enforcement calls including a burglary in progress, and was later pronounced deceased at a hospital.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27326-chief-deputy-burl-wesley-everman
https://www.wkyt.com/2024/11/10/bath-county-sheriffs-office-chief-deputy-dies/
https://www.mrgfh.com/obituaries/burl-everman

Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez, 26, was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Chatham on November 4, 2024. During the stop, Martinez and his partner were speaking with the vehicle's driver when a passenger, Darion McMillian, allegedly reached for a bag on the floor. Despite warnings, McMillian reportedly fired a fully automatic weapon equipped with an illegal machine-gun conversion device, fatally shooting Martinez. Police returned fire, killing another individual in the vehicle, while McMillian fled the scene and was later arrested.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27209-police-officer-enrique-martinez

Golden Police Officer Evan Dunn died on November 5, 2024, after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 58. The officer had been responding to a call and was alongside his training officer, Bethany Grusing, who sustained serious injuries. Dunn, 33, had previously served as an Army Aviation Officer and Blackhawk pilot and had been with the Golden Police Department for a short time after graduating from the police academy in July 2024.

https://www.goldentoday.com/golden-police-department-mourns-the-loss-of-officer-evan-dunn/
https://www.denverpost.com/2024/11/07/golden-police-officer-killed/

Officer Devon Lindsay was killed in a hit and run crash on old Gilliard Road in Ridgeville on November 4, 2024.

https://www.live5news.com/2024/11/04/deputies-mourning-after-berkeley-county-detention-deputy-killed-hit-and-run/

Deputy Raquel Sachs Was a newly hired deputy who died in a crash while on duty.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/bernalillo-county-sheriffs-office-investigates-deadly-crash/

On 10/29/2024, Detective David P. Miller, Jr. of the New York City Police Department died from cancer attributed to his assignment in search and recovery efforts following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27729-detective-david-p-miller-jr
https://www.clarkfh.com/obituaries/David-P-Miller-Jr?obId=33563127
https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/about/memorials/9-11-tribute.page

Officer Arthur Scena was leaving a fellow officer funeral and was involved in a crash and died.

https://6abc.com/post/funeral-held-phoenixville-police-officer-arthur-scena-iv-killed-motorcycle-crash/15520231/

Officer Brandon Tyler Parker was racing around in an ATV at high speed at 3 AM when he crashed and died.

https://www.wspa.com/video/off-duty-deputy-killed-in-cherokee-county-crash/10165496/

On 10/26/2024, Detective Kevin G. Hanley of the New York City Police Department died from cancer complications attributed to his assignment in search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27730-detective-kevin-hanley
https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/about/memorials/9-11-tribute.page
https://www.forestnorthfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/Kevin-G-Hanley?obId=33538875
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/kevin-hanley-obituary?id=56633245

On 10/24/2024, Senior Investigator John L. Carey, a retired member of the New York State Police, died from an illness attributed to his assignment in and around the World Trade Center site following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, after 32 years of service.

https://troopers.ny.gov/news/service-arrangements-senior-investigator-john-l-carey
https://www.odmp.org/officer/27289-senior-investigator-john-l-carey
https://www.roseandhughesfh.com/obituaries/John-L-Carey?obId=37906003
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/john-carey-obituary?id=56628280

After the officer, Benjamin Brallier was hiking on Montour Trail when he was stabbed and killed.

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pennsylvania-liquor-control-enforcement-agent-killed-stabbing/

On 10/20/2024, Detective Norman J. Kunze of the New York City Police Department died from an illness attributed to his participation in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. His death is listed among NYPD members who have succumbed to 9/11-related illnesses since the attacks.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/27732-detective-norman-j-kunze
https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/about/memorials/9-11-tribute.page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Grumman.F14.Tomcat/posts/3563660090541720/

Deputy Sheriff Alfredo "Freddy" Flores passed away on April 20, 2024, after succumbing to third-degree burns from a fire at a mobile shooting range in Castaic. The fire occurred on October 10, 2023, when an equipment malfunction ignited flames in the 53-foot trailer, which was located near the Pitchess Detention Center. Flores and another deputy were severely burned before being rescued. Flores, a 22-year veteran of the department, had been undergoing re-certification training at the time. His death follows months of medical treatment for his injuries, and he leaves behind a wife, children, and other family members​

https://camemorial.org/honor-roll/tribute/alfredo-freddy-flores

A man set a fire that killed former female Oglala Sioux tribal officer Tanya White Butterfly. She had become a tribal officer when a fire 10 years prior had killed her brother. Reno Matthew Rondeau set the fire that killed her and was booked on homicide and other charges.

https://ictnews.org/news/man-arrested-after-fire-killed-former-tribal-corrections-officer