Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Cecchetti was shot and killed while serving a narcotics warrant. As he entered the rear door of the home he encountered the suspect, who was attempting to flee. As Officer Cecchetti reacted, he stumbled on the steps and fell forward. The suspect fired one shot, striking Officer Cecchetti near the collar bone, just above his vest, in a downward direction, striking his heart. The suspect, 23, was arrested a short time later. On October 15, 1979, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole. As of December 1, 2022, he was in Vacaville Prison and is not being considered for parole. Officer Cecchetti was survived by his wife, two sons, and parents. His father served as the Stockton police chief at the time of the shooting.
Survivors
Officer Cecchetti was survived by his wife, two sons, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-9DC77E9C- 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.
Officer Cecchetti gave the Stockton Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Stockton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Cecchetti.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Nicholas Paul Cecchetti 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 Stockton Police Department, 8 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nicholas Paul Cecchetti's cause is highlighted.
How Nicholas Paul Cecchetti Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nicholas Paul Cecchetti is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nicholas Paul Cecchetti was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Stockton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
