John R. Hissong, II

Fresno Police Department — Fresno, CA

Cardiac

End of Watch July 4, 1981

Age 29

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 124 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 14

Incident

Officer John Hissong suffered a fatal attack during a foot pursuit of a vandalism suspect near the intersection of Shaw Street and Fresno Street. He had responded to a local hotel after receiving reports of vandalism. When he arrived at the hotel he was taken to the rear where the vandalism had taken place. Officer Hissong located the suspect prior to the arrival of backup officers. He pursued the suspect on foot for approximately 150 feet, at which point he caught the suspect but immediately collapsed on top of the man. Responding officers located Officer Hissong and immediately started CPR. He was transported to St. Agnes Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Officer Hissong had served with the Fresno Police Department for two years and had previously served with the Weld County, Colorado, Sheriff's Office.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-4DB640FE
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.
Officer Hissong gave the Fresno Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fresno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Hissong.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Fresno Police Department

Location Fresno, CA

Platform Identity frespd.fresno.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 4, 1981

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 29

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac

Weapon Person

Offender Not available

Officer John R. Hissong, II is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In CA, 52 of 1,837 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 2.8% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 4%.

At Fresno Police Department, 2 of 15 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 13.3% of this agency's fallen.

Fresno Police Department

of 15 officers

13.3% Cardiac

CA — Statewide

of 1,837 officers

2.8% Cardiac

Nationwide

1,306

of 32,508 officers

4% Cardiac