Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Gene Simpson and Officer Gordon were shot and killed after responding to a call of a homeless man harassing other citizens at the corner of Fifth Street and East Santa Clara Street. Officer Simpson was the initial officer on the scene and was shot while after the man was able to gain control of his .357 caliber service revolver. The man then ducked into a nearby parking lot and hid. Officer Silva was inadvertently struck by a shotgun pellet fired by another officer during the ensuing shootout with the subject. Other responding units shot and killed the subject. Officer Simpson had served with the San Jose Police Department for 19 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 18-month-old child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-9942858F- 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. Army. One record, 2 gates. Gene is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Simpson gave the San Jose Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Jose community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Simpson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Gene Ronald Simpson served in the U.S. Army (1964â1966) before joining law enforcement.
Officer Gene Ronald Simpson 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 San Jose Police Department, 8 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gene Ronald Simpson's cause is highlighted.
How Gene Ronald Simpson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gene Ronald Simpson is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gene Ronald Simpson was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Gene Ronald Simpson served in the U.S. Army (1964–1966) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Gene Ronald Simpson’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 San Jose Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
