Police Heroes
Police heroes come in many forms. On the Police Heroes topic page, we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the mission to protect their communities.
Behind the badge is a quiet devotion to service, sacrifice and compassion that defines the profession at its core
In a profession defined by crisis and action, it’s the calm, compassionate responses that leave the deepest marks on the people we serve
A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper reflects on how coaching young athletes reshaped his leadership, communication and calm under pressure on the street.
Master Trooper Steven J. Perry, 30, was struck head-on by an impaired driver while driving on the Durham Freeway
After a gunman opened fire on crews on Canfield Mountain, wounded Coeur d’Alene Engineer David Tysdal helped identify the shooter while deputies pulled survivors and victims to safety
The Plymouth Police Department reported that the agents pulled the boy from the pool and started CPR until local officers arrived
Cpl. David Michael Hathcock died from injuries sustained duringa crash; he had served with the Montgomery Police Department for more than 20 years
Richard Dean Bird killed Christian County Deputy Gabriel Ramirez during a traffic stop; he later wounded more officers during a shootout and killed Deputy Michael Hislope
Sgt. Michael Schlattman, who had been with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office since 2012, was pinned beneath his cruiser after a tractor-trailer struck it while he was standing by the roadway
LVMPD Officer Skeeter Black responded when “JetBlue” was abandoned; Black ensured the pup received care and later completed the adoption through Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas
Master Trooper Stien Davis had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for more than 10 years; he was assigned to Troop B, District 7 in Robeson County
Hahira Officer Caleb Abney was inside his patrol vehicle with emergency lights on when a Camaro veered onto the shoulder and struck his vehicle
Metro Nashville Police Mounted Unit Officer Michael Douglas tended to horses alone for three days, left without assistance due to downed trees and icy roads
Trooper Michael Diego was participating in a “competitive process” for FHP’s Criminal Interdiction Unit at the agency’s training academy when he became unresponsive
Officer Brian Elliott was responding to a call when he and another officer were shot; Elliott later died from his injuries
NYPD
Late NYPD Det. Steven McDonald was shot while on duty during his second year on the job, causing instant paralysis; he was known for publicly forgiving his shooter
Lt. Edmund Fisher, an 18-year veteran of the department, was critically injured in May 2022 while deploying spike strips during a pursuit of two suspects on ATVs
Video shows Louisville officers searching around a home for the missing child; as a dog barked nearby, officers decided to follow the dog, finding the boy in a vehicle
Trooper Hunter Bennett, 28, and Pilot Robert Skankey, 61, were killed while supporting ground units during an active shooter incident
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Rick Haggard, 52, served as the SRO for Shannon Elementary School
Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy Christopher Ohlmeyer was escorting a funeral procession when his motorcycle was struck from behind
The suspect being questioned by police at a hotel shot the two Gwinnett County officers after inviting them into his room, killing Officer Pradeep Tamang
The suspect allegedly fired the first shot from a vehicle, causing Weakley County Deputy Derrick Bonham to fall, then exited and fired again
Just weeks after saving a neighbor’s choking 1-year-old girl, an NYPD officer was at it again, saving the life of a 2-year-old boy who had stopped breathing
“He truly lived his life to protect and serve others,” Michael Foreman’s obituary states
MSP Sergeant Dennis Wagner discovered the unconscious man and began to render aid until help arrived; when a rescue team came, he helped to transport the man off of the trail
“Because of [Deputy Britanie Bratcher’s] selflessness and love, this very special little girl now has a forever home and will never go without in any way,” the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office stated
Bossier Parish Deputy Tim Jordan was working a traffic assignment when he was fatally injured
Lt. Evertina Halfacre was also the first woman assigned to Memphis PD’s Drug Interdiction Unit and one of the first two women in the department’s Color Guard
MOST POPULAR
- Del. trooper killed at DMV in ‘act of pure evil’ is remembered as dependable, devoted to family
- 2 officers killed, deputy and K-9 wounded in Utah shooting
- ‘I am going to die’: Minn. trooper, deputy team up to stop of out-of-control car going 113 mph
- Trump makes 13-year-old cancer fighter an honorary Secret Service agent
- Ohio officer shot, killed while serving warrant