Isaac Anthony Espinoza
Agency patch
Police Officer

Isaac Anthony Espinoza

San Francisco Police Department — San Francisco, CA
Felonious
End of Watch April 10, 2004
Age 29
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
The Vigil Panel 152 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Isaac Espinoza was shot and killed as he and his partner investigated a suspicious person in the area of Newhall Street and Newcomb Avenue at approximately 9:30 pm.

The two officers, who were in plainclothes, observed the man acting suspiciously and approached him in their vehicle. When they exited their vehicle and called out to the man, he turned around and opened fire with an AK-47 and then fled. Officer Espinoza was struck multiple times and killed. His partner was hit once in the leg and was treated at a local hospital.

The killer was apprehended, convicted of second-degree murder, attempted murder, and knowingly murdering a peace officer. He was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences, one without the possibility of parole.

Officer Espinoza had served with the San Francisco Police Department for eight years and was assigned to the Bayview Station.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, 3-year-old daughter, parents, and sister.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-08616933
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Espinoza gave the San Francisco Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Francisco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Espinoza.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location San Francisco, CA
Platform Identity sfpd.sf.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 10, 2004
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 29
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Rifle; AK-47

Police Officer Isaac Anthony Espinoza 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 Francisco Police Department, 66 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.3% of this agency's fallen.

San Francisco Police Department
66
of 106 officers
62.3% Felonious
CA — Statewide
974
of 1,837 officers
53% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Isaac Anthony Espinoza's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Isaac Anthony Espinoza Compares

Age at Death
29
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
8
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Isaac Anthony Espinoza is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Isaac Anthony Espinoza was killed by rifle; ak-47.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location