Honoring

Sergeant John Burright

Oregon State Police, Oregon

EOW: May 4, 2021 | Age: 61 | Tour: 14 Years

Sergeant John Burright succumbed to injuries sustained on September 4th, 2001, when he struck by a vehicle near mile marker 243 on I-5 near Albany. Senior Trooper Maria Mignano and Police Officer Jason Hoerauf, of the Albany Police Department, were killed in the same incident while all three were assisting a family whose van had broken down. Officer Hoerauf was on a ride-along with his mentor, Sergeant Burright, when the two stopped to assist the van. Trooper Mignano responded to the scene to back them up. While the three officers were standing on the right side of the van, which was parked on the right shoulder, a pickup truck suddenly swerved across a lane of traffic. The pickup struck the right rear of Trooper Mignano's patrol car, traveled along the other two vehicles, and struck all three officers. The driver of the vehicle was driving on a suspended license at the time and had fallen asleep while driving. Trooper Mignano and Officer Hoerauf succumbed to their injuries at the scene. Sergeant Burright was flown to a local hospital in extremely critical condition. He suffered critical injuries that caused him to medically retire in early 2002. He remained under continuous medical care until succumbing to complications of his injuries on May 4th, 2021. In December 2001, the man plead guilty to criminally negligent homicide and was sentenced to two days in jail and three years of probation as part of a plea bargain. Sergeant Burright had served with the Oregon State Police for 14 years. He is survived by his wife and three sons. In 2016 a street in Salem, Oregon, was named in Sergeant Burright's honor.

Honoring

Detective Luca Benedetti

San Luis Obispo Police Department, California

EOW: May 10, 2021 | Age: 37 | Tour: 12 Years

Detective Luca Benedetti was shot and killed as he and other detectives executed a search warrant as part of an investigation of a series of burglaries. The detectives approached the apartment, identified themselves, and asked to enter. They waited an extended period of time with no response before forcing entry into the apartment. The suspect was laying in wait inside and opened fire as the detectives entered the apartment. Detective Benedetti and another detective were both struck. The subject was also wounded by return fire and later committed suicide. Detective Benedetti was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. Detective Benedetti had served with the San Luis Obispo Police Department for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Samuel Alexander Leonard

Concho County Sheriff's Office, Texas

EOW: May 10, 2021 | Age: 26 | Tour: 1.6 Years

Deputy Sheriff Samuel Leonard and Deputy Sheriff Stephen Jones were shot and killed while responding to a complaint about a dog in the 100 block of Bryan Street in Eden, Texas. An altercation occurred as both deputies, along with an Eden municipal employee, made contact with a subject at a residence. The subject fatally shot both deputies and critically wounded the city employee before barricading himself inside of the home. The city mayor, who lived nearby, talked the man into surrendering approximately 30 minutes later. The man has been charged with two counts of capital murder of a police officer. Deputy Sheriff Leonard served with the Concho County Sheriff's Office for six months, having spent one and a half years as a deputy/officer.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Stephen Jones

Concho County Sheriff's Office, Texas

EOW: May 10, 2021 | Age: 34 | Tour: 8 Years

Deputy Sheriff Stephen Jones and Deputy Sheriff Samuel Leonard were shot and killed while responding to a complaint about a dog in the 100 block of Bryan Street in Eden, Texas. An altercation occurred as both deputies, along with an Eden municipal employee, made contact with a subject at a residence. The subject fatally shot both deputies and critically wounded the city employee before barricading himself inside of the home. The city mayor, who lived nearby, talked the man into surrendering approximately 30 minutes later. The man has been charged with two counts of capital murder of a police officer. Deputy Sheriff Jones had served with the Concho County Sheriff's Office for eight years.

Honoring

Police Officer Jimmy Inn

Stockton Police Department, California

EOW: May 11, 2021 | Age: 30 | Tour: 6 Years

Police Officer Jimmy Inn was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call in the 4400 block of La Cresta Way. He was approaching the front door of the residence when a man opened fire on him, fatally wounding him. A second officer arriving at the home exchanged gunfire with the subject, who ran back inside of the home. He emerged moments later holding an 8-year-old boy and began to strangle the child. A bystander then tackled the subject who was then shot and killed by the other officer. Officer Inn was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. Officer Inn had served with the Stockton Police Department for six years. He is survived by his wife, 7-month-old son, and two stepchildren. His wife also works for the Stockton Police Department.

Honoring

Firefighter Ricardo Torres, Jr.

New Haven Fire Department, Connecticut

EOW: May 12, 2021 | Age: 30 | Tour: None

On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at approximately 12:45 a.m., New Haven Fire Department personnel arrived at the scene of a residential fire. The members of the department rescued two residents who were trapped inside the house. During the fire, Firefighter Torres was in trouble and transmitted a mayday. He and his lieutenant were both found unconscious on the second floor of the home. Firefighter Torres was transported to the local hospital and was later pronounced deceased. The lieutenant was also transported to the hospital and remains in critical condition.