Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Vilho O. Ahola succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on November 7th, 1969, when he was shot in the neck and rendered a quadriplegic. He had responded to a domestic disturbance at 818 I Street and was standing by as the female party removed items from the residence. A short time later, the male subject produced a small handgun and ordered Officer Ahola to hand over his service weapon. A struggle ensued for the suspect's weapon, and Officer Ahola was shot in the neck. After Officer Ahola passed away, the Sonoma County Coroner's Office ruled his death a result of complications of quadriplegia due to a gunshot wound to the neck. Officer Ahola was a United Air Force veteran and had served with the Petaluma Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife and two sons. In 2016, State Highway 101, known as the "Old Redwood Highway Interchange," located at the north end of the City of Petaluma, was renamed the Police Officer Vilho Ahola Memorial Interchange.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-8236D227- 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.
Police Officer Ahola gave the Petaluma Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Petaluma 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
Vilho O. Ahola served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Vilho O. Ahola 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 Petaluma 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. Vilho O. Ahola's cause is highlighted.
How Vilho O. Ahola Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted of assault
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Vilho O. Ahola is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Vilho O. Ahola was killed by handgun; .25 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Petaluma Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
