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Edward Francis Wilkinson
Incident
Detective Sergeant Edward Wilkinson was killed when the police helicopter he was piloting crashed while searching for a missing child. Sergeant Wilkinson was returning to the helicopter hangar at the Sonoma County Airport after searching for a missing nine-year-old girl when the helicopter ran out of fuel and crashed into a field on Barnes Road, approximately one-half mile south of River Road. Sergeant Wilkinson was severely injured and succumbed to his injuries later that night. Reserve Deputy Gloria Baxter suffered major injuries but ultimately recovered. Sergeant Wilkinson had served with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office for 17 years. He started the Department's helicopter program and was its first pilot. He was survived by his wife, three children, and parents. The Wilkinson Valor Award was created in Sergeant Wilkinson's memory to honor fellow officers for acts of heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant Wilkinson's ashes were scattered at sea.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, and parents.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Wilkinson gave the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Rosa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Wilkinson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Edward is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Edward is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edward is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1977, 4 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1977, 64 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 66th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1977, 88 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 41st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Edward was 42. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Edward had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Edward was 42. 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. Edward had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 42. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Edward had served 17 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, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 42.9% of all 7 deaths at Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
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 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Sonoma County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
