Honoring

Lieutenant Michael Wood

Newberry Police Department, South Carolina

EOW: July 26, 2023 | Age: 48 | Tour: 20 Years

Lieutenant Mike Wood was killed in a vehicle crash at the intersection of Nance Street and Dixie Drive while responding to a call. His patrol car collided with a tractor-trailer in the intersection. Lieutenant Wood had served with the Newberry Police Department for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Alejandro Martinez

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California

EOW: July 28, 2023 | Age: 27 | Tour: 2 Months

Deputy Sheriff Alejandro Martinez succumbed to injuries sustained on November 16th, 2022, as he and other recruits from Academy Class 464 ran in formation as part of their morning physical fitness routine. The academy class of 75 recruits was running in formation when an oncoming vehicle veered over the center line and struck the group near the intersection of Mills Avenue and Telegraph Road in Whittier. A total of 25 recruits were struck by the vehicle before it came to a stop. Twelve of the recruits suffered critical injuries that ended their careers. Deputy Martinez was sworn in as a sheriff's deputy two weeks after the incident. He remained hospitalized in critical condition until succumbing to his injuries eight months later. The driver who struck the group was initially charged with attempted murder of peace officers, but charges were dropped as the investigation continues.

Honoring

Police Officer Mathew Hare

Easley Police Department, South Carolina

EOW: Aug. 2, 2023 | Age: 22 | Tour: 5 Months

Police Officer Matthew Hare was struck and killed by an Amtrak train near the 2000 block of East Main Street while attempting to pull a suicidal subject from the railroad tracks. The subject had called 911 at about 5:00 am while suffering a mental crisis. Officer Hare and another officer located the subject on the tracks at about 6:00 am as the oncoming train approached. The officers were removing the subject from the tracks when Officer Hare was fatally struck. Neither the other officer nor the subject was injured. Officer Hare had graduated from the police academy only five months earlier.

Honoring

Sergeant William Cherry

Macon County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee

EOW: July 29, 2023 | Age: 55 | Tour: 10 Years

Sergeant William Cherry was killed in a vehicle crash on Highway 10, near Long Creek Road, at about 12:30 am. He was traveling southbound when an oncoming vehicle crossed the center line and struck his patrol car head-on, causing him to suffer fatal injuries. The other driver suffered severe injuries. Neither Sergeant Cherry nor the other driver were wearing their seatbelts. Sergeant Cherry had served with the Macon County Sheriff's Office for five years and had served in law enforcement for more than 10 years. He had previously served with the Red Boiling Springs Police Department, Clay County Sheriff's Office, and Celina County Sheriff's Office. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and parents.

Honoring

Firefighter Evan Curtis Brown

Honey Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Texas

EOW: July 30, 2023 | Age: 18 | Tour: None

On Sunday, July 9, 2023, Firefighter Evan Curtis Brown and another firefighter were responding to a motor vehicle crash in Firefighter Brown’s personal vehicle, when they hit a cow in the road. The vehicle rolled, ejecting Firefighter Brown and causing severe injuries. Firefighter Brown was rushed to the hospital where he remained in the intensive care unit at the Medical City Hospital in Plano, Texas until his passing on Sunday, July 30, 2023. The other firefighter suffered less serious injuries.

Honoring

Sergeant Pedro Torres-Santos

Trujillo Alto Municipal Police Department, Puerto Rico

EOW: July 31, 2023 | Age: 47 | Tour: 27 Years

Sergeant Pedro Torres-Santos was shot and killed in a targeted drive-by shooting as he stood in front of a store with other officers while working a secondary employment job. He and two other officers were standing in front of the store, at the intersection of Highway 181 and Highway 851 in Trujillo Alto, when a vehicle drove by and an occupant inside opened fire on them. All three officers were struck by the gunfire. Sergeant Torres-Santos succumbed to his wounds and the other two officers were seriously wounded. The subjects in the car fled and remain at large. Sergeant Torres-Santos had served with the Trujillo Alto Municipal Police Department for 27 years and was one of its first officers when the agency was formed. He is survived by his wife and children.

Honoring

Deputy Marshal Barry Giglio

Ville Platte Marshal's Office, Los Angeles

EOW: July 31, 2023 | Age: 65 | Tour: 25 Years

Deputy Marshal Barry Giglio was shot and killed at about 8:30 pm while assisting the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office serve a warrant in the 100 block of West Beauregard Street. A subject at the residence opened fire on the officers, killing Deputy Marshal Giglio and critically wounding a sheriff's deputy before being shot and killed. Deputy Marshal Giglio had served with the Ville Platte Marshal's Office for 10 years and previously served with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office for 15 years. He is survived by his son and two granddaughters.