Michael Jay Bentley
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Michael Bentley was killed when his cruiser was intentionally rammed by a fleeing armed robbery suspect. The suspect was fleeing an armed robbery of a convenience store in a stolen pick-up. The suspect changed direction, and before the pursuing deputy could broadcast the direction, he approached Deputy Bentley's unit head-on, explaining later that he saw the vehicle but decided to commit suicide by ramming the patrol car. The subject suffered a cut lip. The subject was sentenced to life imprisonment but is eligible for parole. Deputy Bentley was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Kern County Sheriff's Office for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, stepson, parents.
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. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Michael 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.
Deputy Sheriff Bentley gave the Kern County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bakersfield 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
Michael Jay Bentley served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1969â1970) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kern County Sheriff's Office has lost 28 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Michael is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Michael 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 1983, 1 officer at Kern County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1891, with 2.
In 1983, 12 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 33. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Kern County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 41; the middle age was 35. Michael had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Michael was 33. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Michael had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 33. 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. Michael had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 11.1% of these deaths at Kern County Sheriff's Office; July holds the most, 33.3%. Wednesdays: 11.1%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in CA, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 32.1% of all 28 deaths at Kern County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 9.1% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Kern County Sheriff's Office has 28 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
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William Stewart Mettler Nov 6, 1873
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Oliver McCoy Jul 3, 1891
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John L. Powers
Jul 3, 1891
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William E. Tibbet
Apr 19, 1903
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Howard Hamilton Knott
Oct 6, 1945
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Clayton Hall Yearick
Nov 15, 1949
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Roland Lucien Barbeau
Feb 26, 1953
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Wayne Herman Trudell
Jun 4, 1962
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Robert Paul Grabner
Jul 11, 1962
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Samuel Harold Moore
Jul 11, 1962
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Frederic C. Scheberies
Jan 11, 1964
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Richard O. Slates Dec 21, 1966
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Donald Durr Hodges
Apr 14, 1969
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Terry Lee Greer
Aug 7, 1973
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Charles James Banning
Oct 23, 1974
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Michael Ronald Wilson
Oct 11, 1981
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Ray Leonard Mallory
Aug 16, 1983
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Lansing Lloyd Warren
Aug 16, 1983
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Michael Jay Bentley
Oct 19, 1983
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Ray Delton Bockman
Aug 16, 1986
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Marvin Ray Kline
Aug 16, 1986
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Douglas Robert Moonen
Aug 16, 1986
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Richard Robert McHale
Mar 3, 1989
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James Lee Williams
Oct 19, 1991
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Daniel Lee Archuleta
Sep 12, 2004
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William Joseph Hudnall, Jr.
Nov 14, 2006
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James Edward Throne
May 23, 2008
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Phillip Jesse Campas
Jul 25, 2021
Military Service
Michael Jay Bentley served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1969–1970) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Michael Jay Bentley’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 64-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Kern County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.














