Honoring

K9 Beni

Heflin Police Department, Alabama

EOW: Jan. 5, 2022 | Age: 7 | Tour: 5 years

K9 Beni was struck and killed by a passing vehicle while conducting an open air narcotics sniff during a traffic stop on I-20 near mile marker 199 at about 7:45 pm. K9 Beni had served with the Heflin Police Department for five years.

Honoring

Police Officer Christopher Gibson

Dallas Police Department, Texas

EOW: Jan. 2, 2022 | Age: 54 | Tour: 24 years

Police Officer Chris Gibson died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Officer Gibson had served with the Dallas Police Department for over 24 years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Trooper John Sumter Horton

North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina

EOW: Jan. 3, 2022 | Age: 42 | Tour: 15 years

Trooper John Horton was struck and killed by a patrol car while conducting a traffic stop near the intersection of High Shoals Church Road and Goodes Grove Church Road in Mooresboro at about 9:00 pm. Trooper Horton had detained the driver of the vehicle and was standing on the shoulder of the roadway with the subject. Another trooper arriving on the scene to back him up lost control of his patrol car and collided with Trooper Horton's patrol car, which was then pushed into Trooper Horton and the detained subject. The detained subject died at the scene, and Trooper Horton died after being transported to a hospital in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The area the crash occurred in had experienced snow and sleet throughout the day. Trooper Horton had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for 15 years. He is survived by his wife, six children, parents, sister, and two brothers.

Honoring

K9 Jedi

Seattle Police Department, Washington

EOW: Jan. 5, 2022 | Age: 5 | Tour: None

K9 Jedi was stabbed to death while attempting an apprehension of a burglary suspect in the 2200 block of South Eddy Street at about 2:45 pm. A resident in the home called 911 to report a subject armed with a machete was attempting to break in. Responding units encountered the subject who then fled on foot. Officers pursued him to the 6700 block of Swift Avenue South where K9 Jedi was released to perform an apprehension. The man fatally stabbed K9 Jedi during the apprehension and then stabbed an officer in the face before being shot and killed.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Bryan Vannatta

Curry County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico

EOW: Jan. 3, 2022 | Age: 34 | Tour: 12 years

Deputy Sheriff Bryan Vannatta died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Deputy Vannatta was a third-generation law enforcement officer who had served with the Curry County Sheriff's Office for five years. He had previously served three years with the Texico Police Department and four years with the United States Border Patrol. He is survived by his wife and two children. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Police Officer Bart Lane Arnold

Enid Police Department, Oklahoma

EOW: Jan. 3, 2022 | Age: 57 | Tour: 21 years

Police Officer Bart Arnold died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Officer Arnold was a United States Air Force veteran who served over 20 years with the Enid Police Department. He had previously served one year with the North Enid Police Department. He is survived by his wife and child. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Police Officer Richard Lynn Tostenson

Newnan Police Department, Georgia

EOW: Jan. 6, 2022 | Age: 51 | Tour: 18 years

Police Officer Ricky Tostenson died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 while working at a Newnan High School basketball game at 190 Lagrange Street in Newnan. Officer Tostenson had served with the Newnan Police Department for 10 years and served as the school resource officer at Newnan High School. He had served in law enforcement for 18 years. He is survived by his wife, two children, and one grandchild. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Captain Reginald Kamal Smith

Wilson Police Department, North Carolina

EOW: Jan. 7, 2022 | Age: 43 | Tour: 23 years

Captain Reginald Smith died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Captain Smith had served with the Wilson Police Department for 23 years. He is survived by his wife and four children. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Michael Queeney

Will County Sheriff's Office, Illinois

EOW: Jan. 8, 2022 | Age: 48 | Tour: 20 years

Deputy Sheriff Mike Queeney died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 while assigned to Civil Process at the Will County Courthouse at 100 West Jefferson Street in Joliet. Deputy Queeney had served with the Will County Sheriff's Office for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and five children. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Detention Sergeant Janell L. Visser

Miller County Sheriff's Office, Missouri

EOW: None | Age: 55 | Tour: 14 year

Detention Sergeant Janell Visser died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Miller County Adult Detention Center at 1999 MO-52 in Tuscumbia. Sergeant Visser had served with the Miller County Sheriff's Office for 14 years and was named Jailer of the Year in 2021. She is survived by her husband, two sons, one daughter, and five grandchildren. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Police Officer II Fernando Arroyos

Los Angeles Police Department, California

EOW: Jan. 10, 2022 | Age: 27 | Tour: 3 years

Police Officer Fernando Arroyos was shot and killed as he took police action when three men attempted to rob him in the 1700 block of East 87th Street. He and his girlfriend had stopped to look at a house that was for sale and were crossing the street when the three men got out of a vehicle and attempted to rob them at gunpoint. Officer Arroyo directed his girlfriend to safety as the men opened fire on him. He was able to return fire before being mortally wounded. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. Three men and two women were detained in connection with his murder. Officer Arroyos had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for three years and was assigned to the Olympic Division. He is survived by his mother and stepfather.

Honoring

Police Officer Diane Gonzalez

New Haven Police Department, Connecticut

EOW: Jan. 10, 2022 | Age: None | Tour: None

Police Officer Diane Gonzalez succumbed to injuries sustained on September 10th, 2008, when her patrol car collided with another patrol car while responding to a domestic violence call. Her patrol car collided with Sergeant Scott Aponte's patrol car at the intersection of East Street and Chapel Street as they both responded to the same call. Sergeant Aponte was killed in the crash, and Officer Gonzalez suffered a traumatic brain injury, causing her to slip into a coma. She remained in a coma until succumbing to her injuries. Officer Gonzalez had served with the New Haven Police Department for 13 years at the time of the crash. She is survived by her son, two daughters, and grandchildren.

Honoring

Firefighter Benjamin Polson

St. Louis Fire Department

EOW: Jan. 13, 2022 | Age: 33 | Tour: None

On Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, St. Louis Fire Department firefighters responded to the 5900 block of Cote Brilliante Avenue. The multi-story building, designated as vacant by the city, was being consumed by fire. Firefighters had put out the flames on the first floor and were checking to make sure no one was on the second floor when they decided to turn back because of the intensity of the fire. As they were leaving, the building’s roof and top story collapsed, burying Firefighter Benjamin Polson. He passed away at the scene. Two other firefighters were injured and taken to the local hospital where they were treated and released.

Honoring

Paramedic Sarah Kaderli

None

EOW: Jan. 12, 2022 | Age: 31 | Tour: None

A paramedic who was killed Saturday in an ambulance collision with an SUV has been identified as Sarah Kaderli, 31, KTRK reported Wednesday. A suspected wrong-way driver on Westpark Tollway crashed into the private ambulance Kaderli was working in. Surveillance footage shows a car speeding past a bus then smashing into the ambulance. One person from each vehicle was killed during the crash, while one person remains in critical condition. The fourth person involved in the incident was released from the hospital to recover at home, according to the news report. Kaderli’s employer, City Ambulance Service, said in a Facebook post that her partner, Maurice Ruth, is recovering. “Our hearts hurt so bad for you and your family. We are praying for comfort and strength for your family, your loved ones, and everyone else,” the organization's statement read. Kaderli’s parents, who lost their son and Kaderli's older brother in a car wreck 23 years ago, said their daughter lived and worked in Houston as a paramedic because she loved helping people. In a interview with KTRK, Kaderli's father, Steven, said the couple has chosen to forgive the person who crashed into the rig their daughter was working in. "Something in their life wasn't right, and that's what created the situation," he said. "We have forgiveness in our hearts toward them." Funeral arrangements for Kaderli are set for Friday, and an investigation into the crash is ongoing. According to ABC 13, five people have been killed in wrong-way crashes on Westpark Tollway since last summer.