Incident
Officer John Bohach was shot and killed with a high-powered rifle while assisting other officers in setting up a perimeter outside a house following a pursuit.
An officer had stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. The suspect suddenly sped away and was pursued by another officer to the location where the man ran into the home at 964 Vassar Street. As Officer Bohach assisted in securing the area, the suspect shot him in the chest. Officer Bohach was not wearing a vest at the time. The suspect was apprehended later in the afternoon after a SWAT team stormed the house.
The 49-year-old man was sentenced to two consecutive life terms. He died in prison on October 6, 2013.
Officer Bohach had served with the Reno Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Police Officer Bohach gave the Reno Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Reno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bohach.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Reno Police Department has lost 12 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 82 officers killed feloniously in NV, 56.2% of the 146 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 1 officer at Reno Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1947, with 2.
In 2001, 1 officer in NV was killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1979, with 4.
In 2001, 158 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2001, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 35. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Reno Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 54; the middle age was 36. John had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
John was 35. Of the 70 killed feloniously in NV whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 37. John had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 35. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10% of these deaths at Reno Police Department; November holds the most, 30%. Wednesdays: 10%.
August holds 11% of these deaths in NV; October holds the most, 13.4%. Wednesdays: 11%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 12 deaths at Reno Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 56.2% of all 146 deaths in NV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Reno Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Harry P. Brown
Sep 26, 1905
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Charles A. Browne
Nov 10, 1907
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Wilson Fugate Jul 2, 1929
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Ross Peterson Sep 11, 1931
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LeRoy Joseph Geach
Nov 8, 1947
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Allen A. Glass
Nov 8, 1947
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Michael J. Mills
Jan 18, 1969
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James Duane Hoff
Jun 25, 1979
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Glenn William Turner
Dec 29, 1979
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Keith Tadashi Hashimoto
Mar 29, 1996
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John C. Bohach
Aug 22, 2001
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Michael Robert Scofield
Sep 26, 2002
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Reno Police Department are honored on badge.nw.








