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Incident
Police Officer Vilho O. Ahola succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on November 7th, 1969, when he was shot in the neck and rendered a quadriplegic. He had responded to a domestic disturbance at 818 I Street and was standing by as the female party removed items from the residence. A short time later, the male subject produced a small handgun and ordered Officer Ahola to hand over his service weapon. A struggle ensued for the suspect's weapon, and Officer Ahola was shot in the neck. After Officer Ahola passed away, the Sonoma County Coroner's Office ruled his death a result of complications of quadriplegia due to a gunshot wound to the neck. Officer Ahola was a United Air Force veteran and had served with the Petaluma Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife and two sons. In 2016, State Highway 101, known as the "Old Redwood Highway Interchange," located at the north end of the City of Petaluma, was renamed the Police Officer Vilho Ahola Memorial Interchange.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- 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. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Vilho 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 Ahola gave the Petaluma Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Petaluma 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
Vilho O. Ahola served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Petaluma Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Vilho is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Vilho is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Vilho 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 1998, 11 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1998, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1998, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Vilho was 70. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Vilho had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Vilho was 70. 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. Vilho had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Vilho was 70. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Vilho had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 15.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Petaluma Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Petaluma Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Vilho among them.
Where
Military Service
Vilho O. Ahola served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Visit Vilho O. Ahola’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 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Petaluma Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
