Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Henry Bunch was shot and killed with his own service weapon after being overpowered by a suspect he had arrested for DUI. The suspect was found passed out and slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle. He was placed under arrest and handcuffed by Officer Bunch and his partner. The officers then transported the suspect back to the police facility to process him for drunk driving. At the police facility, Officer Bunch began the procedure to obtain a chemical sample from the suspect while his partner proceeded to secure his duty weapon at another area of the facility. During this time, Officer Bunch had not yet secured his duty weapon, and he and the prisoner were alone. The suspect was unhandcuffed by Officer Bunch, and he managed to obtain control of the officer's service weapon. The suspect shot Officer Bunch in the head and attempted to shoot Officer Bunch's partner when he came to assist. However, the partner was able to use the weapon and shoot the suspect in the head. Both Officer Bunch and the suspect were pronounced dead at the scene. Officer Bunch had served with the San Jose Police Department for five years and previously served with the Daly City Police Department for six years.
Survivors
The officer is survived by his wife, 6-year-old daughter, and two stepchildren, ages 7 and 4.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-30E0CDA8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Police Officer Bunch gave the San Jose Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Jose community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bunch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Henry I. Bunch 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 San Jose Police Department, 8 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Henry I. Bunch's cause is highlighted.
How Henry I. Bunch Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Henry I. Bunch is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Henry I. Bunch was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from San Jose Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
