Honoring

Chief Ronald “Ronnie” Gene Spitzer

Rocky Top Fire Department, Tennessee

EOW: Jan. 13, 2021 | Age: 65 | Tour: None

Chief Ronald “Ronnie” Gene Spitzer, while on-duty, responded to a medical call on December 11, 2020 with another firefighter. It was determined later that the patient had COVID-19. He and the firefighter both contracted the virus. Chief Ronald “Ronnie” Gene Spitzer passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 from the disease.

Honoring

Lieutenant John Reynolds

Garden Grove Police Department, California

EOW: Jan. 17, 2021 | Age: 59 | Tour: 34 Years

Lieutenant John Reynolds died of complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in a confirmed exposure while on duty. Lieutenant Reynolds had served with the Garden Grove Police Department for 25 years and had previously served with the Orange County Probation Department for nine years. He is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters. In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Honoring

Corrections Officer Joseph A. Martini

Ulster County Sheriff's Office, New York

EOW: Jan. 17, 2021 | Age: 45 | Tour: 22 Years

Corrections Officer Joseph Martini died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 during a presumed exposure while on duty at the Ulster County Jail. Officer Martini had served with the Ulster County Sheriff's Office for 22 years. He is survived by his two children and parents. In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Adam Gibson

Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, California

EOW: None | Age: 31 | Tour: 6 Years

Deputy Sheriff Adam Gibson and K9 Riley were shot and killed in the parking lot of the Cal Expo and State Fair facility following a vehicle pursuit of a parolee. Deputies noticed the subject and vehicle, which matched the description of one used in a recent burglary series, in a parking lot near Arden Way and Avondale Avenue. The deputies contacted the occupant and learned that he was on active parole. As they prepared to search the vehicle the man fled, leading deputies on a pursuit. The vehicle became disabled when it entered the state fair parking lot at 1600 Exposition Boulevard and the man remained inside. Deputies used a bean bag round to break out the vehicle's back window so they could see inside. K9 Riley was then deployed through the window by his handler in an attempt to apprehend the subject. When K9 Riley was inside of the vehicle the man opened fire, fatally wounding both K9 Riley and Deputy Gibson. A second deputy was also shot and wounded. Other deputies on scene returned fire and killed the subject. Deputy Gibson was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department for six years. He is survived by his wife and 9-month-old child.

Honoring

Police Officer Brandon Stalker

Toledo Police Department, Ohio

EOW: Jan. 18, 2021 | Age: 24 | Tour: 2.6 Years

Police Officer Brandon Stalker was shot and killed at about 6:30 pm during a barricade involving an arson suspect. At approximately 2:20 am the front doors of the historic Rosary Cathedral had been set on fire and racial statements were spray painted onto the walls. At approximately 3:30 pm officers spotted the suspect near his house in the 2300 block of Fulton Street and attempted to talk to him. The man drew a handgun and ran into a home where he barricaded himself inside. The department's SWAT team responded to the scene and, after negotiations failed, fired a chemical irritant into the home in attempt to force him outside. The man emerged from the home holding two handguns and opened fire. Officer Stalker, who was on a perimeter position, was struck in the head and fatally wounded. Other officers returned fire and killed the subject. Officer Stalker had served with the Toledo Police Department for 2-1/2 years. He is survived by his child and fiancée.

Honoring

K9 Riley

Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, California

EOW: Jan. 18, 2021 | Age: 5 | Tour: 3 Years

K9 Riley and Deputy Sheriff Adam Gibson were shot and killed in the parking lot of the Cal Expo and State Fair facility following a vehicle pursuit of a parolee. Deputies noticed the subject and vehicle, which matched the description of one used in a recent burglary series, in a parking lot near Arden Way and Avondale Avenue. The deputies contacted the occupant and learned that he was on active parole. As they prepared to search the vehicle the man fled, leading deputies on a pursuit. The vehicle became disabled when it entered the state fair parking lot at 1600 Exposition Boulevard and the man remained inside. Deputies used a bean bag round to break out the vehicle's back window so they could see inside. K9 Riley was then deployed through the window by his handler in an attempt to apprehend the subject. When K9 Riley was inside of the vehicle the man opened fire, fatally wounding both K9 Riley and Deputy Gibson. A second deputy was also shot and wounded. Other deputies on scene returned fire and killed the subject. K9 Riley had served with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department for three years.