Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Bobby Volk was killed in an automobile crash during a vehicle pursuit on Yosemite Boulevard. In the early morning hours, Officer Volk was pursuing a fugitive vehicle, and a car pulled in front of him. Officer Volk, to avoid a collision, swerved, and the right front tire of his patrol car deflated, causing him to lose control. The patrol car skidded into a construction site, where it hit a large concrete block. The force of the collision was so severe the car was thrown into reverse, causing it to accelerate 130 feet backward before hitting a light pole and coming to rest. Officer Volk was pinned in the wreckage for 40 minutes before rescue crews could remove him and rush him to the hospital. During that time, he regained consciousness but was only able to say "chasing . . . orange GTO." The driver of the car was never found, and the crime he committed to cause Officer Volk to pursue him remains unknown. At 7:30 a.m., Officer Volk died from injuries sustained in the wreck. Officer Volk had served with the Modesto Police Department for 2 1/2 years. He was survived by his wife and infant son. He was the first Modesto police officer to die in the line of duty. His badge was retired from service.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and infant son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-26524FC4- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Volk gave the Modesto Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Modesto community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Volk.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Leo Robert "Bobby" Volk, Jr. is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In CA, 719 of 1,837 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 39.1% of this state's fallen. That is 39.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Modesto Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leo Robert "Bobby" Volk, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Leo Robert "Bobby" Volk, Jr. Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Leo Robert "Bobby" Volk, Jr. is highlighted in May.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Modesto Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
