Honoring

K9 Jango

Bakersfield Police Department, California

EOW: April 27, 2021 | Age: None | Tour: None

K9 Jango was shot and killed while attempting an apprehension of a convicted felon following a pursuit of a stolen vehicle. Officers had attempted to stop the vehicle on Highway 58 but the subject refused to stop and lead officers on a pursuit. The vehicle crashed through a chainlink fence along the highway and the man fled on foot into a nearby residential area. The man was located hiding in the backyard of a home in the 2000 block of Feliz Drive and K9 Jango was released to perform an apprehension. During the apprehension, the man opened fire with a handgun and killed K9 Jango. Other officers returned fire and killed the subject.

Honoring

K9 Kozmo

Mesquite Police Department, Texas

EOW: April 26, 2021 | Age: 5 | Tour: None

K9 Kozmo was killed while performing an apprehension of robbery suspects near the intersection of Bruton Road and I-635 at about 2:30 am. Officers from several agencies had pursued the vehicle until it was immobilized by spike strips. One subject was arrested in the vehicle but the other two were able to flee into a nearby wooded area. K9 Kozmo was released for an apprehension but ran out of sight of his handler and failed to return. The two suspects were apprehended approximately 45 minutes later and K9 Kozmo's body was located at about 4:15 am.

Honoring

K9 Joker

Indian River County Sheriff's Office, Florida

EOW: April 21, 2021 | Age: 1 | Tour: 3 Months

K9 Joker died when he accidentally choked on a training aid that became lodged in his throat. He was rushed to Live Oak Animal Hospital in Vero Beach but he was not able to be resuscitated. K9 Joker had served with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office for three months.

Honoring

Detention Deputy Mark Edward Anderson

Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota

EOW: April 15, 2021 | Age: 52 | Tour: 11.1 Years

Detention Deputy Mark Anderson suffered a fatal heart attack after interacting with a belligerent inmate in the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center. Deputy Anderson was working alone managing gym-use time for inmates when one of the inmates became extremely upset, prompting Deputy Anderson to call for emergency response from other deputies. Additional deputies responded and they escorted the inmate back to his unit. Deputy Anderson was preparing for a subsequent shift when he collapsed in the locker room. Deputy Anderson had served with the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office for 11 years. He is survived by his daughter and brother, as well as his significant other and her son.

Honoring

Corrections Officer Jimmy Garcia

Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, Texas

EOW: April 15, 2021 | Age: 56 | Tour: 5 Years

Corrections Officer Jimmy Garcia died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty while assigned to the Neal Unit in Amarillo, Texas. Officer Garcia was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for five years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and 10 siblings. Beginning 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 have died as a result of COVID-19, and continue to do so as the virus spreads across the United States.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Terry Dyer

Madison County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee

EOW: April 20, 2021 | Age: 62 | Tour: 33 Years

Deputy Sheriff Terry Dyer suffered a fatal heart attack after responding to a domestic violence call at a local church two days earlier. He collapsed while appearing in a General Sessions Court criminal case. He received immediate medical attention and was transported to Jackson General Hospital where he passed away. Deputy Dyer was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office for 33 years. He is survived by his daughter.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Alexander Gwosdz

Harris County Sheriff's Office, Texas

EOW: April 22, 2021 | Age: 32 | Tour: 9 Years

Deputy Sheriff Alexander Gwosdz died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Deputy Gwosdz had served with the Harris County Sheriff's Office for nine years. Beginning 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 have died as a result of COVID-19, and continue to do so as the virus spreads across the United States.

Honoring

Police Officer Anastasio Tsakos

New York City Police Department, New York

EOW: April 27, 2021 | Age: 43 | Tour: 14 Years

Police Officer Anastasio Tsakos was struck and killed by a vehicle being operated by an intoxicated driver. Officer Tsakos responded to assist at the scene of a fatal automobile collision on the Long Island Expressway, near the entrance to the Clearview Expressway. He was redirecting traffic when a 2013 Volkswagen driven by a 32-year-old woman swerved to avoid other cars and hit Officer Tsakos as he stood next to his marked patrol vehicle. Officer Tsakos was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver fled the scene in her vehicle but was later apprehended. An investigation revealed that the driver was intoxicated and driving with a suspended driver's license. She faces charges including vehicular manslaughter, reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of a deadly accident, and driving while intoxicated. Officer Tsakos served with the New York City Police Department for 14 years and was assigned to Highway Unit 3. He is survived by his wife, 6-year-old daughter, and 3-year-old son.

Honoring

Sergeant Chris Ward

Watauga County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina

EOW: April 28, 2021 | Age: None | Tour: None

Sergeant Chris Ward and Deputy Sheriff Logan Fox were shot and killed while conducting a welfare check at a home on Hardaman Circle. A coworker of the homeowner had requested a welfare check after the man did not report for work and was not answering his phone. Responding officers discovered all the vehicles belonging to the owner in the driveway. As Sergeant Ward and Deputy Fox entered the home to check on the occupants someone inside opened fire, striking both deputies. Backup officers were able to extract Sergeant Ward from the home but were unable to reach Deputy Fox. Sergeant Ward was flown to a hospital in Johnson City, Tennessee, where he succumbed to his injuries. The subject barricaded himself inside of the house and continued to shoot at law enforcement officers who were on the perimeter throughout the day. He committed suicide several hours into the barricade. Deputy Fox was retrieved from the residence and pronounced dead.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Logan Fox

Watauga County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina

EOW: April 28, 2021 | Age: None | Tour: None

Deputy Sheriff Logan Fox and Sergeant Chris Ward were shot and killed while conducting a welfare check at a home on Hardaman Circle. A coworker of the homeowner had requested a welfare check after the man did not report for work and was not answering his phone. Responding officers discovered all the vehicles belonging to the owner in the driveway. As Sergeant Ward and Deputy Fox entered the home to check on the occupants someone inside opened fire, striking both deputies. Backup officers were able to extract Sergeant Ward from the home but were unable to reach Deputy Fox. Sergeant Ward was flown to a hospital in Johnson City, Tennessee, where he succumbed to his injuries. The subject barricaded himself inside of the house and continued to shoot at law enforcement officers who were on the perimeter throughout the day. He committed suicide several hours into the barricade. Deputy Fox was retrieved from the residence and pronounced dead.

Honoring

Police Officer Christopher Farrar

Chandler Police Department, Arizona

EOW: April 29, 2021 | Age: 50 | Tour: 18 Years

Police Officer Chris Farrar was struck and killed by a vehicle during a vehicle pursuit of a stolen vehicle involving multiple agencies. Deputies with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office had initiated the pursuit of a known felon shortly after 10:00 pm. The driver of the vehicle fired shots and at the responding deputies before entering Chandler, Arizona. The man drove through a gate and onto the runway of the Chandler Regional Airport and then back into the community. He drove to a car dealership on East Motorplex Loop where he stole a truck. As the man exited the dealership, he struck Officer Farrar and a Gilbert police officer, causing both to suffer critical injuries. Officer Farrar was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The man continued to flee but was taken into custody after being shot at by pursuing officers. Officer Farrar had served with the Chandler Police Department for 18 years.

Honoring

Assistant Fire Chief Charles “Chuck” Edward Scottini

Laramie County Fire District #2, Wyoming

EOW: April 24, 2021 | Age: None | Tour: None

In October of 2020, while on a wildland fire assignment in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Assistant Fire Chief Charles “Chuck” Edward Scottini contracted COVID-19. He was flown to the University of Utah Hospital for treatment and remained there until last Wednesday evening, April 21, 2021, when he returned to Wyoming and was in hospice care. Assistant Fire Chief Scottini passed away from the virus early Saturday morning, April 24, 2021, with his family by his side.

Honoring

Firefighter/Paramedic Roger Dean, III

Seguin Fire Department, Texas

EOW: April 23, 2021 | Age: None | Tour: None

On Sunday, December 20, 2020, Firefighter/Paramedic Roger Dean, III, responded to an EMS call at a residence. The patient had a known case of COVID-19. Firefighter/Paramedic Dean subsequently contracted the virus and passed away on Friday, April 23, 2021.