Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Bo Hittson was shot and killed while chasing several suspects into the hills. At 11 pm, police responded to a call for help from a liquor store and bar, which had been the scene of a brawl and robbery where the clerk received a knife wound to the back. Officers witnessed five subjects running from the store and pursued them on State Route 263 to the Rocky Gulch area. Patrolman Hittson was called back on duty to help capture the subjects. Over 20 Yreka police officers, California Highway Patrol Officers, and Siskiyou County Sheriff Deputies attempted to apprehend the subjects when the youths fired at the officers. Patrolman Hittson was struck one time in the chest by a shot from a .22 caliber rifle. More than 100 rounds were exchanged. A California Highway Patrolman was also injured before the five youths surrendered. The shooter was sentenced to death but was acquitted during a retrial. The shooter's sister was sentenced to life. Three others were convicted of second-degree murder. Patrolman Hittson had served with the Yreka Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, two sisters, and a brother who was a Police Officer in Alaska.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-C68994FA- 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.
Patrolman Hittson served with the Yreka Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Yreka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hittson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Jesse Joe "Bo" Hittson 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jesse Joe "Bo" Hittson's cause is highlighted.
How Jesse Joe "Bo" Hittson Compares
Offender Outcome
robbery
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jesse Joe "Bo" Hittson is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jesse Joe "Bo" Hittson was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.