Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Erskine Fish was shot and killed when he attempted to halt and question three men about a series of burglaries. The three had just robbed a nearby grocery store and then attempted to break into a nearby home. The home owner caught one but the other two forced him to back off. The three were apprehended a few hours later. On September 27, 1935, two 26 and 28, were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. The other, 27, was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to five years to life. He was paroled on April 7, 1943. On November 11, 1937, Governor Merriam commuted the two death sentences to life. One died in San Quentin Prison on February 13, 1944. On March 28, 1947, the third subject and another inmate escaped from a prison work crew on the outside of San Quentin. Two nights later they robbed the attendant of a service station in Klamath Falls, Oregon. They fled in a stolen car and engaged in a running gunfight with police officers through the town. They were forced to stop when an officer shot out a tire and they turned on a dead end street. One inmate was captured but Chief Fish's killer escaped. The FBI declared him a federal fugitive and joined the hunt. On May 5, 1947, he was captured in Russelville, Arkansas, after he was shot in the hip during a burglary attempt. He was returned to San Quentin and paroled on December 21, 1960. On March 16, 1962, he was charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. In Haywood he slashed a man's face with a knife requiring hospitalization. His parole was revoked and he was returned to prison. The last information about him is he was in San Quentin Prison on June 24, 1965. Chief of Police Fish served with the North Sacramento Police Department for seven years.
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- 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.
Chief of Police Fish gave the North Sacramento Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sacramento community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Fish.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Erskine G. Fish 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%.
At North Sacramento Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Erskine G. Fish's cause is highlighted.
How Erskine G. Fish Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Erskine G. Fish is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Erskine G. Fish was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from North Sacramento Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
