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Incident
Officer Joe Kerley and Officer Glenn Winans were instantly killed when their patrol car struck a train in dense fog. Officer George Bredenberg succumbed to his injuries three days later. The three officers were responding to a prowler car when the accident occurred. The impact was so great that the refrigerated car that they struck was derailed. Officer Winans and Officer Kerley were in the front seats and Officer Bredenberg was in the rear seat. The accident occurred at midnight during the shift change. Officer Winans and Officer Kerley were just getting off work. Officer Bredenberg was just reporting to duty. Officer Kerley had been with the Turlock Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was a widower and was survived by his son and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Police Officer Kerley gave the Turlock Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Turlock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Kerley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Turlock Police Department has lost 5 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1949, 6 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1949, 45 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 103rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1949, 54 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 61. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Joseph had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joseph was 61. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 61. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.8% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Turlock 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 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Turlock Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Turlock Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
