Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Arthur Hennesay and Officer John Vickers were shot and killed when they were ambushed as they answered a complaint of a stuck car horn in a motel parking lot at 1555 West Adams Avenue. As Officer Vickers was looking for the owner, he was shot three times. Officer Hennesay arrived at the scene and was shot through his windshield. The next officer who arrived at the scene arrested one suspect, a 22-year-old man, as two others ran from the scene. The other two suspects, a 24-year-old man, and his 17-year-old wife were captured at a nearby motel. Three hours later, the parents of the first suspect arrested were found shot to death at a motel they managed in San Diego. The car with the stuck horn belonged to them. All three suspects lived at the motel with them. All three were charged with four counts of murder. One male suspect, 22, was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He said his parents had served their purpose in life. He was denied parole on June 1, 2022. His next parole hearing is in June of 2027. The other male suspect, a parolee, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to 10 years to life. Officer Hennesay had served with the El Centro Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-16FA9F03- Stewardship
- 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. Arthur is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Hennesay gave the El Centro Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the El Centro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Hennesay.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Arthur Kenneth Hennesay served in the U.S. Navy (1955â1959) before joining law enforcement.
Officer Arthur Kenneth Hennesay is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At El Centro Police Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Arthur Kenneth Hennesay's cause is highlighted.
How Arthur Kenneth Hennesay Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arthur Kenneth Hennesay is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arthur Kenneth Hennesay was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Military Service
Arthur Kenneth Hennesay served in the U.S. Navy (1955–1959) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Arthur Kenneth Hennesay’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from El Centro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
