John R. Hissong II
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Officer

John R. Hissong II

Fresno Police Department — Fresno, CA
Cardiac
End of Watch July 4, 1981
Age 29
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
The Vigil Panel 124 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer John Hissong suffered a fatal attack during a foot pursuit of a vandalism suspect near the intersection of Shaw Street and Fresno Street. He had responded to a local hotel after receiving reports of vandalism. When he arrived at the hotel he was taken to the rear where the vandalism had taken place. Officer Hissong located the suspect prior to the arrival of backup officers. He pursued the suspect on foot for approximately 150 feet, at which point he caught the suspect but immediately collapsed on top of the man. Responding officers located Officer Hissong and immediately started CPR. He was transported to St. Agnes Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Officer Hissong had served with the Fresno Police Department for two years and had previously served with the Weld County, Colorado, Sheriff's Office.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Hissong gave the Fresno Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fresno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Hissong.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Fresno, Fresno County, CA
Platform Identity frespd.fresno.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 4, 1981
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 29
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac
Weapon Person

The Sacrifice · Cardiac

John is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1981, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 29. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

July holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Fresno Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, John among them.

VI

Where

Officer John R. Hissong II

Fresno Police Department · End of Watch July 4, 1981

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W

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