Roll of Honor
Edward Francis Wilkinson
Incident
Detective Sergeant Edward Wilkinson was killed when the police helicopter he was piloting crashed while searching for a missing child. Sergeant Wilkinson was returning to the helicopter hangar at the Sonoma County Airport after searching for a missing nine-year-old girl when the helicopter ran out of fuel and crashed into a field on Barnes Road, approximately one-half mile south of River Road. Sergeant Wilkinson was severely injured and succumbed to his injuries later that night. Reserve Deputy Gloria Baxter suffered major injuries but ultimately recovered. Sergeant Wilkinson had served with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office for 17 years. He started the Department's helicopter program and was its first pilot. He was survived by his wife, three children, and parents. The Wilkinson Valor Award was created in Sergeant Wilkinson's memory to honor fellow officers for acts of heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant Wilkinson's ashes were scattered at sea.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-89131A35- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Edward. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Wilkinson gave the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Rosa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Wilkinson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Sergeant Edward Francis Wilkinson is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CA, 719 of 1,837 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 39.1% of this state's fallen. That is 8.1 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 7 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward Francis Wilkinson's cause is highlighted.
How Edward Francis Wilkinson Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Edward Francis Wilkinson is highlighted in Apr.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Sonoma County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
