Honoring

Police Officer Austin Machitar

San Diego Police Department, California

EOW: Aug. 26, 2024 | Age: 30 | Tour: 5 Years

Police Officer Austin Machitar was killed in a vehicle crash at 11:30 p.m. at the 5200 block of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. An officer was pursuing a speeding vehicle that failed to yield for a traffic stop. When the pursuit reached a high rate of speed, it was called off. Officer Machitar and his partner were responding to the area of the fleeing suspect when the fleeing car slammed into Officer Machitar's patrol vehicle at 90 mph, causing the police cruiser to be engulfed in flames. Officer Machitar was pronounced dead at the crash site. The other officer was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital in critical condition. The driver of the pursuit vehicle died in the crash. Officer Machitar had served with the San Diego Police Department for over five years. He is survived by his parents and sister.

Honoring

Firefighter Recruit William Cody Treatch

Rural Metro Fire Department, Tucson, Arizona

EOW: None | Age: 26 | Tour: None

On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, Firefighter Recruit William Cody Treatch suffered a heat-related emergency during training at the fire academy. He was immediately transported to the Banner University Medical Center where his condition progressively worsened. He passed away on Friday, August 23, 2024.

Honoring

Investigator Wayne David

Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia

EOW: Aug. 28, 2024 | Age: 51 | Tour: 26 Years

Investigator Wayne David was shot and killed when a firearm he was recovering from a storm drain inadvertently discharged. He and other officers had attempted to speak to a man who was in a suspicious vehicle in the 4500 block of Quarles Street NE at about 5:45 pm. The man fled on foot toward Eastern Avenue NE and jumped down onto DC-295, where he threw a firearm into a storm drain. A passing motorcyclist then picked the man up, and they fled the scene. Investigator David was attempting to retrieve the firearm from the drain when it discharged, striking him in the head. He was flown to MedStar Washington Hospital Center where he succumbed to his wound several hours later. A subject was arrested eight days later and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. Investigator David had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for 26 years and was assigned to the Violent Crime Suppression Division. He is survived by his son and daughter. His brother retired from the Metropolitan Police Department.

Honoring

Police Officer Darron Lee Burks

Dallas Police Department, Texas

EOW: Aug. 29, 2024 | Age: 46 | Tour: 8 Months

Police Officer Darron Burks was shot and killed in his squad car at the 900 block of East Ledbetter Drive. At 10:10 p.m., officers responded to an officer in-distress call. When they arrived at the 900 block of East Ledbetter Drive, they approached a man standing near the squad car. The subject opened fire, shooting one officer three times and another officer in the face. Responding officers found Officer Burks in his patrol vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. As soon as the suspect fled, a pursuit ensued. When the suspect stopped at the 100 block of Stemmons Freeway in Lewisville, he exited his vehicle with a long gun and was shot and killed. The three officers were transported to area hospitals. One is in stable condition, and another is in critical condition. Officer Burks succumbed to his wounds. Officer Burks had served with the Dallas Police Department for eight months. He is survived by his parents.

Honoring

Officer Phylicia Carson

Osage Beach Police Department, Missouri

EOW: Aug. 31, 2024 | Age: 33 | Tour: 1 Year

Officer Phylicia Carson was killed in a vehicle crash at about 1:30 am while responding to assist another officer who was pursuing a vehicle. Her patrol car left the roadway and struck a tree on Highway A near Toronto Springs Park Road. A Camden County Sheriff's Office deputy discovered her patrol car on fire in the tree line. The driver of the vehicle that was being pursued crashed a short distance away and was taken into custody. He was charged with aggravated fleeing a stop, resulting in death. Officer Carson had served with the Osage Beach Police Department for one year. She is survived by her husband and six children.

Honoring

Battalion Chief Christopher Eddy

Greene County Fire Rescue

EOW: Sept. 4, 2024 | Age: 35 | Tour: None

On Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, Battalion Chief Christopher Eddy responded to a tractor trailer fire on Georgia Route 15. When he opened the truck door, an explosion occurred killing him instantly. Investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Honoring

Police Officer Zane Coolidge

Phoenix Police Department, Arizona

EOW: Sept. 6, 2024 | Age: 29 | Tour: 5 Years

Police Officer Zane Coolidge succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained three days earlier while responding to reports of a larceny from a motor vehicle near the intersection of 16th Street and McDowell Road at about 6:30 pm. As officers arrived on scene, the suspect fled on foot and jumped a fence into a backyard. The man then opened fire on officers, striking Officer Coolidge and a second officer before being taken into custody. Officer Coolidge was transported to a local hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wounds three days later. The suspect, a multi-times convicted felon who was on parole, has been charged with first-degree murder and illegal possession of a weapon. Officer Coolidge had served with the Phoenix Police Department for five years. He is survived by his wife and infant daughter.

Honoring

Firefighter Darrell Helton

Belfry Volunteer Fire Department, Kentucky

EOW: Sept. 4, 2024 | Age: 49 | Tour: None

A Belfry firefighter is thought to have suffered a fatal heart attack Wednesday night while shuttling water to a McCarr fire scene. Darrell Helton, 49, told another firefighter he felt fluttering in his chest when he was driving the tanker during the mutual aid fire call, according to WCHSTV.com. He collapsed after he sat down on the fire apparatus, WKTY.com reports. Colleagues on scene began resuscitation efforts, including CPR, immediately. The efforts were unsuccessful. "It is with great sadness and a very heavy heart that we bring the news of the passing of one of our Brothers. Firefighter Darrell Helton unit 953 passed away last night on a call for mutual aid for a neighboring fire department. Please keep the Helton family as well as our fire department in your thoughts and prayers in the days ahead," the department shared in a Facebook statement.