Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Dan Bessant was shot after he responded to assist another officer on a traffic stop.
An officer had requested back up during a traffic stop near the intersection of Arthur Avenue and Gold Drive in Oceanside. Officer Bessant responded and was shot from behind by a person who was not a part of the traffic stop. The shot struck Officer Bessant under his arm in an area not covered by his bullet-resistant vest.
He was flown to Scripps Memorial Hospital where he died from the injury.
Two teenage suspects were arrested and charged with Officer Bessant's murder. One of them was convicted of murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in November 2009. The second pleaded guilty to felony manslaughter and was also sentenced to life in prison. The second subject admitted to shooting Officer Bessant in order to gain respect from his fellow gang members.
Officer Bessant had served with the Oceanside Police Department for three years and had worked in an unsworn position for three years prior to that.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 2-month-old child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-1C9B4B37- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Bessant gave the Oceanside Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oceanside community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bessant.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Daniel S. Bessant is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Oceanside Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Daniel S. Bessant's cause is highlighted.
How Daniel S. Bessant Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Daniel S. Bessant is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Daniel S. Bessant was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Oceanside Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
