Honoring

Police Officer Matthew Bowen

Vacaville Police Department, California

EOW: July 11, 2024 | Age: 32 | Tour: 1 Year

Police Officer Matthew Bowen died from injuries received from being struck by a vehicle while initiating a traffic stop. He initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Leisure Town Road and Orange Drive at about 11:00 am. While stopped along northbound Leisure Town Road, both Officer Bowen and the stopped driver were struck from behind by a driver believed to be under the influence of drugs. Officer Bowen was thrown from his motorcycle by the force of the collision. Officer Bowen was transported to Kaiser Vacaville Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 3:00 PM. The driver of the vehicle that caused the crash attempted to flee the scene immediately after hitting Officer Bowen but was stopped by community members and detained until additional police arrived. She was arrested at the scene. Officer Bowen had served with the Vacaville Police Department for just over one year and had previously served with the Concord Police Department for 3-1/2 years. He is survived by his wife, two children, his parents, and one brother.

Honoring

Detective Fernando Esqueda

Harris County Sheriff's Office, Texas

EOW: July 10, 2024 | Age: 28 | Tour: 5 Years

Detective Fernando Esqueda was shot and killed from ambush after locating a vehicle wanted in connection to an aggravated assault. The subject had become engaged in an argument with a restaurant employee over an incorrect order and pistol-whipped the worker. Witnesses provided responding deputies with the suspect's license plate number, which detectives used to locate an area of interest using a license plate reader system. Detectives conducted an initial search of the area but didn't locate the vehicle and cleared the area. A short time later Detective Esqueda returned to the area and located the vehicle unoccupied in the 13200 block of Italian Cypress Trail. As he coordinated with other deputies the subject ambushed him and shot him multiple times. The responding deputies transported Detective Esqueda to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The subject was arrested the following day and charged with capital murder. Detective Esqueda had served with the Harris County Sheriff's Office for five years. He was assigned to the Violent Person Task Force and was working mandatory patrols in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

Honoring

Captain Charles “Charlie” Parker

Chittenden Volunteer Fire Department, Vermont

EOW: July 8, 2024 | Age: 74 | Tour: None

On Monday, July 8, 2024, Captain Charles “Charlie” Parker responded to a barn fire. After operating at the scene, he returned the tanker to the fire station. Captain Parker was found unresponsive by a fellow firefighter. Lifesaving efforts were immediately performed but were unsuccessful. The cause of death has yet to be determined.

Honoring

Captain James 'Jim' Cova

Affton Fire Protection District, Missouri

EOW: July 10, 2024 | Age: 54 | Tour: 23 Years

AFFTON, Mo. – A captain with the Affton Fire Protection District was found dead Tuesday afternoon while on his shift. Captain James “Jim” Cova, described as a “gentle giant” by colleagues and widely respected among firefighter brethren across south St. Louis County, was found unresponsive in his room at Affton Fire Station 1 on Gravois Road. Cova was 54. According to Lt. Jason Brice, a district spokesman, Cova had answered several calls that day and completed several emergency responses. Firefighters at the station were getting ready to go on another call when they noticed Cova had not yet joined them. That’s when they went to his room and found him. A cause of death has not been determined.

Honoring

Wildland Firefighter Daniel Foley

U.S. Forest Service Wildland Firefighter

EOW: July 9, 2024 | Age: 27 | Tour: None

A wildland firefighter is dead after completing a routine preparedness activity. U.S. Forest Service Wildland Firefighter Daniel Foley, 27, was assigned to Fremont-Winema National Forest, according to The Herald and News. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the family, friends and wildland fire community,” said Benjamin Wilson, public information officer. Foley's father shared his son's journey in a Facebook post: "He started as a volunteer with Twin District in Lancaster went on to become a EMT and then a professional firefighter in Fauquier County VA. He moved back home a few years later and worked at the Buffalo VA hospital which he loved. He followed his best friend/brother Dan Sutch to Oregon to work as a wildland firefighter with the US Forestry Service. He passed away in the line of duty July 9th doing what he loved and always dreamed about with his best friends."