Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Karen Bassford was killed in an automobile crash on Gallows Road, near Merry Oaks Lane, while responding to a burglary call shortly after midnight. As she was coming around a curve, her vehicle spun out of control and struck a utility pole. Officer Bassford was thrown from the vehicle. She was transported to Fairfax Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Officer Bassford had served with the Fairfax County Police Department for one year and was assigned to the McLean Substation. She had previously served with the Arlington County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
She was survived by her parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-280CE4BD- 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 Bassford gave the Fairfax County Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fairfax community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bassford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Karen Jean Bassford is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In VA, 204 of 656 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 31.1% of this state's fallen. That is 31.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Fairfax County Police Department, 3 of 8 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 37.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Karen Jean Bassford's cause is highlighted.
How Karen Jean Bassford Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Karen Jean Bassford is highlighted in Jul.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Fairfax County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
