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Incident
Chief Erskine Fish was shot and killed when he attempted to halt and question three men about a series of burglaries. The three had just robbed a nearby grocery store and then attempted to break into a nearby home. The home owner caught one but the other two forced him to back off. The three were apprehended a few hours later. On September 27, 1935, two 26 and 28, were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. The other, 27, was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to five years to life. He was paroled on April 7, 1943. On November 11, 1937, Governor Merriam commuted the two death sentences to life. One died in San Quentin Prison on February 13, 1944. On March 28, 1947, the third subject and another inmate escaped from a prison work crew on the outside of San Quentin. Two nights later they robbed the attendant of a service station in Klamath Falls, Oregon. They fled in a stolen car and engaged in a running gunfight with police officers through the town. They were forced to stop when an officer shot out a tire and they turned on a dead end street. One inmate was captured but Chief Fish's killer escaped. The FBI declared him a federal fugitive and joined the hunt. On May 5, 1947, he was captured in Russelville, Arkansas, after he was shot in the hip during a burglary attempt. He was returned to San Quentin and paroled on December 21, 1960. On March 16, 1962, he was charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. In Haywood he slashed a man's face with a knife requiring hospitalization. His parole was revoked and he was returned to prison. The last information about him is he was in San Quentin Prison on June 24, 1965. Chief of Police Fish served with the North Sacramento Police Department for seven years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Fish gave the North Sacramento Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sacramento community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Fish.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
North Sacramento Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Erskine is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Erskine is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Erskine is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 10 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Erskine was 47. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Erskine had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Erskine was 47. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Erskine had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Erskine was 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Erskine had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 15.8%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at North Sacramento Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
North Sacramento Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Erskine among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from North Sacramento Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
