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Incident
Reserve Deputy Healy drowned while attempting to recover the body of another drowning victim from Lake Berryessa.
Deputy Healy and another member of the Napa County Sheriff's Department's dive team had located the sunken boat, attached a line to it, and surfaced to obtain new air tanks. Deputy Healy and another deputy then began to follow the line to the boat. At 96 feet, Deputy Healy met the second deputy and indicated everything was okay, but shortly thereafter, indicated he needed to surface.
As both deputies began to surface, Deputy Healy indicated he was out of air. The other deputy attempted to give Deputy Healy his regulator, but as Deputy Healy attempted to swim to it, he accidentally knocked off the mask of the other diver. The other diver could no longer see and was unable to get the regulator to Deputy Healy. The deputy surfaced and immediately reported that Deputy Healy was in trouble.
Another diver immediately suited up and entered the lake. He located Deputy Healy's body approximately 60 feet down. The deputies in the boat were able to pull Deputy Healy to the surface using his safety line and immediately started CPR. He was flown to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Deputy Healy was a United States Navy WWII veteran and had served with the Napa County Sheriff's Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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.
Reserve Deputy Healy gave the Napa County Sheriff's Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Napa community. Thank you 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
James Edward Healy served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
James is the only officer of Napa County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
James is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
James is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James 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 1980, 11 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1980, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1980, 86 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 46th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 55. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 55. 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. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 55. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 6.4% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Napa County Sheriff's Department.
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.
Military Service
James Edward Healy served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Edward Healy’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
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