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Incident
Police Officer James Collard drowned while attempting to rescue the occupants of a capsized boat off of Del Monte Beach. Officer Collard and another officer had responded to the area of the newly constructed Holiday Inn after receiving word that a boat was in distress in the surf. Once they arrived the boat capsized and both occupants were thrown into the water. Both officers immediately entered the water in an attempt to reach the victims but were unsuccessful. Two Coast Guardsmen were able to pull Officer Collard and the other officer to shore and began CPR. They were able to revive the other officer but Officer Collard could not be revived. One of the boating victims also drowned while the second survived. Officer Collard was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Monterey Police Department for 3-1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his four children, parents, and four siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. James is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Collard gave the Monterey Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Monterey community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Edward Collard served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Monterey Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
James is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1969, 14 officers in CA were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1969, 62 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1969, 84 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 29. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. James had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 29. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. James had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 29. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.2% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Monterey Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Monterey Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Military Service
James Edward Collard served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Edward Collard’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Monterey Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
