Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Tara O'Sullivan was shot and killed at the scene of a domestic disturbance in the 200 block of Redwood Avenue at 6:10 pm.
She was standing in the yard while assisting a woman to retrieve belongings from a home when a male subject inside opened fire with a rifle, striking Officer O'Sullivan. The subject continued to fire at other officers, preventing them from reaching Officer O'Sullivan or rendering aid to her. Approximately 30 minutes later, an armored vehicle arrived, and they were able to rescue her from the yard. She was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her wounds.
The subject remained barricaded inside the home for several more hours while negotiators communicated with him. He surrendered at 2:00 am the following morning. The suspect had a lengthy criminal history of violence and abuse. He pleaded guilty to her murder, and in 2025, a jury recommended the death penalty.
Officer O'Sullivan had served with the Sacramento Police Department for six months. She previously served as a Community Service Officer and an Explorer.
In February 2020, the Sacramento City Council renamed Woodlake Park's baseball field to Officer Tara O'Sullivan Memorial Field. The H Street Bridge was renamed to the Tara O'Sullivan Memorial Bridge in February 2022.
Survivors
She was survived by her parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-1450CA24- 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 O'Sullivan served with the Sacramento Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sacramento community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer O'Sullivan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Tara Christina O'Sullivan 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 Sacramento Police Department, 10 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Tara Christina O'Sullivan's cause is highlighted.
How Tara Christina O'Sullivan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Tara Christina O'Sullivan is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Tara Christina O'Sullivan was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Sacramento Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
