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Incident
Officer Adair was shot and killed while responding to a domestic dispute. Despite being mortally wounded, Officer Adair, and his partner, were able to return fire and killed the suspect. Officer Adair's wife was on a ride along with him at the time and witnessed the shooting. Officer Adair was survived by his wife and two children. One of his children later became an Oxnard police officer.
Survivors
Officer Adair was survived by his wife and two children.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. John is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Adair served with the Oxnard Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Oxnard community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Adair.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Arthur Adair served in the U.S. Army (1968â1971) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oxnard Police Department has lost 7 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 1 officer at Oxnard Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1980, 12 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 31. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Oxnard Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 43; the middle age was 35.
John was 31. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
John was 31. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 40% of these deaths at Oxnard Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 40%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in CA, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 12%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Oxnard Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Oxnard Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, John among them.
Military Service
John Arthur Adair served in the U.S. Army (1968–1971) before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Arthur Adair’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 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Oxnard Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
