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Incident
Officer Ray Mills was assisting another officer who had stopped a car on Northbound Highway 101 just north of Fortuna when he was struck and fatally injured by a drunk driver. After hitting Officer Mills, the drunk driver continued without stopping. Additional officers pursued the drunk driver until he was arrested about one mile north of the scene. Officer Mills was transported to Redwood Memorial Hospital where he died at approximately 3:37 a.m. The 22-year-old driver was charged with drunk driving, hit-and-run, and manslaughter. A year later a jury convicted him only of misdemeanor manslaughter. Officer Mills had served with the Fortuna Police Department for just over a year and a half.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
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
You barely got started.
Officer Mills gave the Fortuna Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Fortuna community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Mills.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ray is the only officer of Fortuna Police Department remembered here.
Ray is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Ray is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ray is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1967, 15 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ray was 32. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Ray had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ray was 32. 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. Ray had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ray was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ray had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 15.8%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Fortuna Police Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 9.1% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Fortuna Police Department are honored on badge.nw.