Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Earl Mendenhall was killed in an automobile crash on Santa Clara Avenue, near Highway 118, when a mentally ill prisoner he was transporting grabbed the wheel of his cruiser and caused it to veer into oncoming traffic. Three people in the other car were seriously injured but survived. The 27-year-old prisoner was sent to a mental institution where he soon escaped. He remained at large for two years before he was captured at his parents' home. Deputy Mendenhall's death led to the installation of plastic shields in police cars between the front and back seats to protect officers from criminals. Deputy Mendenhall was a WWII veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn58sn061nyvb92dseq1- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Earl. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Earl is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Mendenhall served with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Ventura 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
Earl Mendenhall served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ventura County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Earl is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Earl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Earl is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1961, 2 officers at Ventura County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1961, 10 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Earl was 35. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Ventura County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 41; the middle age was 30.
Earl was 35. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Earl was 35. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Earl was 35. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 22.2% of these deaths at Ventura County Sheriff's Office; August holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 33.3%.
July holds 8.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 13 deaths at Ventura County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 9.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Ventura County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Earl among them.
-
Edmund Guy McMartin
Aug 20, 1921
-
Bryce N. Patten
Aug 19, 1960
-
Earl Mendenhall
Jul 15, 1961
-
Donald L. Gregory
Sep 9, 1961
-
Chester Lewis Larson
Jan 20, 1969
-
Donald E. Haynie
Jun 5, 1970
-
Harvey A. Varat
Oct 20, 1973
-
Thomas Kenneth Collins
Oct 25, 1975
-
Peter John Aguirre, Jr.
Jul 17, 1996
-
Lisa Dianne Whitney
Aug 12, 1998
-
Robert Daniel Bornet
Nov 6, 2006
-
Yevhen Kostiuchenko
Oct 28, 2014
-
Ronald Lee Helus
Nov 8, 2018
Where
Military Service
Earl Mendenhall served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Earl Mendenhall’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 12-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Ventura County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
