Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer James Rapozo died in surgery at 5:50 pm from a gunshot wound he suffered during a SWAT raid. The shootout also left one suspect dead and another man injured. Officer Rapozo was wearing a bulletproof vest, but the bullet hit his body in the underarm area and entered his chest. He was taken to Kaweah Delta Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The suspect who was killed was wanted in a shooting that left five people injured on Christmas Eve. Officer Rapozo had served with the Visalia Police Department for six years and was a member of the SWAT team. He was the first Visalia officer to die in the line of fire since 1946.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-39A823FD- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Rapozo gave the Visalia Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Visalia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Rapozo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer James John Rapozo 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 Visalia Police Dept., 2 of 2 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. James John Rapozo's cause is highlighted.
How James John Rapozo Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed in shootout
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James John Rapozo is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James John Rapozo was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Visalia Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
