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Incident
Officer Desmond Casey was killed when the helicopter he was piloting crashed at 3:36 pm.
Officer Casey and a mechanic were flying the helicopter to the San Jose International Airport after receiving mechanical work. During the flight, the rear of the helicopter experienced mechanical failure, causing it to spin out of control. Officer Casey was able to crash-land the helicopter in an empty spot on the I 880 and The Alameda, avoiding a worse disaster. Both he and the mechanic were killed in the crash.
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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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 Casey gave the San Jose Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Jose 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
Desmond J. Casey served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
San Jose Police Department has lost 13 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Desmond is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Desmond is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Desmond 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 1999, 1 officer at San Jose Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1999, 3 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 94th heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1999, 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 1999, 78 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 60th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Desmond was 38. Of the 5 lost to accidents at San Jose Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 39; the middle age was 38. Desmond had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Desmond was 38. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Desmond had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Desmond was 38. 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. Desmond had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Desmond was 38. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Desmond had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths at San Jose Police Department; January holds the most, 40%. Mondays: 20%.
October holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 14.6%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 38.5% of all 13 deaths at San Jose Police Department, the 2nd 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.
His people
San Jose Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Desmond among them.
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Morris Van Dyck Hubbard
Jul 12, 1924
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John Buck
Apr 5, 1933
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John J. Covalesk
Nov 15, 1950
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Richard E. Huerta
Aug 6, 1970
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Robert A. White
Jan 27, 1985
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Henry I. Bunch
Jul 29, 1985
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Robert Lee Wirht
Sep 8, 1988
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Gordon A. Silva
Jan 20, 1989
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Gene Ronald Simpson
Jan 20, 1989
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Desmond J. Casey
Oct 25, 1999
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Jeffrey Michael Fontana
Oct 28, 2001
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Michael Jeremiah Johnson
Mar 24, 2015
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Michael Jason Katherman
Jun 14, 2016
Where
Military Service
Desmond J. Casey served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Desmond J. Casey’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 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from San Jose Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
