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Incident
Matron Lucille Helm and Sergeant George Terry were killed when their vehicle was struck head-on by another vehicle as they were returning from transporting a female mental patient.
Matron Helm was sworn in as a deputy sheriff whenever she assisted with transporting prisoners. She had been with the agency for 15 years.
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.
Matron Helm gave the Madera County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Madera community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Matron Helm.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Madera County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Lucille is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Lucille is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Lucille is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1959, 10 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 10th heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1959, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1959, 67 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 79th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Lucille was 44. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Lucille had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Lucille was 44. 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. Lucille had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lucille was 44. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Lucille had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 14.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Madera 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 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Her people
Madera County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Lucille among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Madera County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
