Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Jimmie Rutledge was shot and killed with his own weapon while attempting to arrest a prowler in the 2200 block of Russell Street. Officers had responded to the scene for reports of a burglary but were unable to find the prowler. Sergeant Rutledge remained on the scene, and the suspect returned. As he attempted to arrest the man, the suspect began to struggle and gained control of Sergeant Rutledge's weapon. After shooting him, the suspect took hostages in a nearby home. The suspect killed a four-year-old hostage before being shot and killed by other officers. Sergeant Rutledge was a United States Navy WWII and Korean War veteran who served with the Berkeley Police Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He was survived by two daughters and a son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-4F1DCC73- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Rutledge gave the Berkeley Police Department 23 years.
Thank you for your service to the Berkeley community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Jimmie Hugh Rutledge served in the Navy (1942â1948) before joining law enforcement.
Sergeant Jimmie Hugh Rutledge 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 Berkeley 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. Jimmie Hugh Rutledge's cause is highlighted.
How Jimmie Hugh Rutledge Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jimmie Hugh Rutledge is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jimmie Hugh Rutledge was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Berkeley Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
