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Incident
Officer Deward Gresham was killed in a motorcycle accident while attempting to stop a traffic violator at 0800 hours. He was riding to work on his police motorcycle when he observed the violation and attempted to stop the car. Another vehicle pulled out in front of him at Union Street and Buena Vista Avenue, causing him to crash and strike his head. Officer Gresham was transported to the Alameda Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the next day. He was only wearing a soft hat and received fatal head injuries. Officer Gresham had been with the Alameda Police Department for over three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-3ZSA-7FCT-Mearlier record number BO-US-CA-D0117A16- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Gresham gave the Alameda Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Alameda community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Gresham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Alameda Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
DeWard is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
DeWard is one of 8,274 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,543 remembered there.
DeWard is one of 10,099 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1942, 7 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1942, 65 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 65th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1942, 82 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 52nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
DeWard was 33. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. DeWard had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
DeWard was 33. Of the 7,715 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. DeWard had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
DeWard was 33. Of the 9,448 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. DeWard had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 13.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Alameda Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Alameda Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, DeWard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Alameda Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
