Kern County Sheriff's Office Memorial

In honor of their memory and ultimate sacrifice to the citizens of Kern County we respectfully present the following roll-call of Sheriff's Office personnel and volunteers who died in the line of duty in Kern County:

Sheriff’s Deputy Phillip Campas

End of watch July 25, 2021. Deputy Sheriff Phillip Campas was shot and killed while serving as a S.W.A.T. Operator attempting to rescue three shooting victims inside of a residence in Wasco, California. Deputy Sheriff Campas was a five-year veteran with the Kern County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff’s Deputy James Throne

End of watch May 23, 2008 as a result of a fatal car accident. James was a 2-1/2 year veteran of the Kern County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff’s Deputy William Joseph (Joe) Hudnall

End of watch November 14, 2006 as a result of a fatal car accident, while transporting a prisoner from the Kern Valley Area to CRF through the Kern River Canyon. Joe was a nine-year veteran of the Kern County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Lee Archuleta

Was involved in a fatal vehicle accident on September 12, 2004 while responding to assist deputies. Deputy Archuleta began serving with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in February of 2001 and was hired by the Kern County Sheriff’s Department on October 5, 2002.

Sheriff’s Citizen Service Unit Arthur Freier

Died November 11, 1995 after being hit by a passing motorist. Art Freier was placing flares at the scene of a major traffic accident in Mt. Mesa.

Sheriff's Deputy James Lee Williams

Died October 19, 1991 as a result of a traffic accident while on patrol in southwest Bakersfield. He was a five-year veteran.

Sheriff's Deputy Richard McHale

Died March 3, 1989 after being beaten and shot at a family disturbance call in Oildale. He was a seven-year veteran.

Sheriff's Sergeant Marvin Kline

Died August 16, 1986 in the crash of an aero squadron airplane on a training flight east of Bakersfield. Sergeant Kline was an 18-year veteran.

Sheriff's Reserve Deputy Ray D. Bockman

Died August 16, 1986 in the crash of an aero squadron airplane on a training flight east of Bakersfield. Reserve Deputy Bockman was an 11-year veteran and was the department's Assistant Property Control Officer.

Search and Rescue Volunteer Douglas R. Moonen

Died August 16, 1986 in the crash of an aero squadron airplane on a training flight east of Bakersfield.

Sheriff's Senior Deputy Michael J. Bentley

Died October 19, 1983 while responding to stop an armed robbery suspect near Rosamond when his patrol vehicle was rammed by the fleeing suspect's vehicle. He was an eight-year veteran.D

Sheriff's Reserve Deputy Lansing Warren

Died August 16, 1983 in the crash of an aero squadron airplane searching for a downed aircraft north of Kernville. Reserve Deputy Warren was a 7-year veteran and was self-employed.

Sheriff's Reserve Deputy Ray Mallory

Died August 16, 1983 in the crash of an aero squadron airplane searching for a downed aircraft north of Kernville. Reserve Deputy Mallory was a 14-year veteran and was working as an extra-help deputy.

Sheriff's Deputy Michael Wilson

Died October 11, 1981 as a result of a traffic accident while on patrol east of Bakersfield. He had been with the department less than a year.

Sheriff's Sergeant John F. McCave

Sheriff’s Parole Officer, died December 23, 1975 while on duty at a result of a heart attack. He was a 20-year veteran.

Search and Rescue Volunteer Charles J. Banning

Drowned October 23, 1974 while engaged as a diver recovering a vehicle and drowning victim from a canal in the Delano area.

Search and Rescue Volunteer Terry Lee Greer

Drowned August 7, 1973 while engaged as a team diver searching for a possible drowned victim in a canal south of McFarland. He was an employee of the State Division of Highway Construction.

Sheriff's Sergeant Donald Hodges

Died April 14, 1969 after being shot while chasing a theft suspect from a Bakersfield bar. He was an 18-year veteran.

Search and Rescue Volunteer Richard O. Slates

Fell to his death December 21, 1966 while engaged in a search with the China Lake Mountain Search & Rescue group. The group was assisting park rangers at the Death Valley National Monument near the summit of Telescope Peak. He was a mechanical engineer at China Lake.

Search and Rescue Volunteer Fred Scheberies

Fell to his death January 11, 1964 while practicing with the China Lake Mountain Search & Rescue group in the Mt. Whitney area. He was an aeronautical engineer at China Lake.

Sheriff’s Deputy Samuel H. Moore

Died July 11, 1962 in a vehicle accident while responding to an officer needs assistance call. Deputy Moore was a one-year veteran.

Sheriff's Reserve Deputy Robert P. Grabner

Died July 11, 1962 in a vehicle accident while responding to an officer needs assistance call.

Sheriff's Deputy Wayne Trudell

Died June 4, 1962 from a heart attack following an altercation with two prisoners at the jail. He was a two-year veteran

Sheriff’s Captain Roland Barbeau

Died February 26, 1953 in a vehicle accident while transporting two inmates from Ridgecrest to Bakersfield. He was an 18-year veteran.

Sheriff’s Sergeant Clayton H. Yearick

Died November 11, 1949 in the crash of a light plane in which he was a passenger. County pilot Bill Richardson, who was also killed, and Sgt. Yearick were enroute to Trona to search for escapees from the Kern County Jail.

Sheriff’s Chief Civil Deputy Howard H. Knott

Died October 6, 1945 in a flash-flood while in Keene. He had been enroute to the Inyokern area to serve papers.

Wasco Constable Joseph E. English

died August 15, 1936 after being shot in a Wasco pool hall. He had been a constable for 1 1/2 years.

Sheriff’s Deputy Will Tibbitt

Died April 19, 1903 after being shot while attempting to arrest a murder suspect, James McKinney, in Bakersfield.

Bakersfield City Marshal Thomas J. Packard

Died April 19, 1903 after being shot while attempting to arrest a murder suspect, James McKinney, in Bakersfield.

Kernville Constable John L. Powers

Died July 3, 1891 after being shot attempting to serve a warrant of arrest.

Citizen Volunteer Oliver McCoy

Died July 3, 1891 after being shot attempting to serve a warrant of arrest.

Tehachapi Constable Thomas H. Godwin

Died October 22, 1876 after being shot in a Tehachapi business.

Tehachapi Constable William S. Mettler

Died November 6, 1873 after being shot during an investigation in the Havilah area.

It is our hope and desire that our "roll-call" readers will furnish any missing supplemental information in the interest of paying proper tribute to those for whom it is due and for its historical value to all the citizens of Kern County.

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