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Incident
Detective Derrick Focht suffered a fatal heart attack following a shooting investigation involving two gang members. He attempted to interview the two uncooperative suspects at their residence.
He began to experience chest pain but returned to his office to continue working on his investigation. The following day he underwent a scheduled stress test. He was found unresponsive in the hospital parking lot a short time later by security.
Detective Focht was a U.S. Navy veteran. He had served with the Kent Police Department for 20 years and had previously served as a corrections officer with both the King County Sheriff's Office and Grant County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Derrick 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.
Detective Focht gave the Kent Police Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kent 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
Derrick William Focht served in the U.S. Navy (1988â1990) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Kent Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Derrick is one of 18 officers lost to cardiac events in WA, 5.3% of the 340 remembered there.
Derrick is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Derrick is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2017, 1 officer in WA was lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 16 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 2.
In 2017, 22 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2017, 22 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Derrick was 47. Of the 15 lost to cardiac events in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 56.5; the middle age was 48. Derrick had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 17.5 years.
Derrick was 47. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Derrick had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Derrick was 47. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Derrick had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
April holds 5.6% of these deaths in WA; January holds the most, 22.2%. Fridays: 16.7%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Kent Police Department, the most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 5.3% of all 340 deaths in WA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Kent Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Derrick among them.
Military Service
Derrick William Focht served in the U.S. Navy (1988–1990) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Derrick William Focht’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 56-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kent Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
