Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Earl Mendenhall was killed in an automobile crash on Santa Clara Avenue, near Highway 118, when a mentally ill prisoner he was transporting grabbed the wheel of his cruiser and caused it to veer into oncoming traffic. Three people in the other car were seriously injured but survived. The 27-year-old prisoner was sent to a mental institution where he soon escaped. He remained at large for two years before he was captured at his parents' home. Deputy Mendenhall's death led to the installation of plastic shields in police cars between the front and back seats to protect officers from criminals. Deputy Mendenhall was a WWII veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-E9C6BA26- 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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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 Mendenhall served with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Ventura 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
Earl Mendenhall served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Earl Mendenhall 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 Ventura County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Earl Mendenhall's cause is highlighted.
How Earl Mendenhall Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Earl Mendenhall is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Earl Mendenhall was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Military Service
Earl Mendenhall served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Earl Mendenhall’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Ventura County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
