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Incident
Police Officer David Vasquez was struck and killed by a vehicle at the intersection of 35th Street and Date Palm Drive while assisting at the scene of a traffic accident. He was assigned to provide traffic control at a non-injury collision. He had laid out a cone/flare pattern to shut down one lane of traffic for the officers to safely conduct their investigation. A motorist, later found to be driving on a suspended license, drove into the closed lane and struck Officer Vasquez at approximately 30-40 mph, killing him almost instantly. He was rushed to Eisenhower Medical Center and pronounced dead upon arrival. The driver was later prosecuted and sentenced to probation. Officer Vasquez had served with the Cathedral City Police Department since it was formed in June 1984.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
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 Vasquez gave the Cathedral City Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cathedral City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Vasquez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Cathedral City Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
David is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
David is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David 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 1988, 14 officers in CA were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1988, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1988, 84 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
David was 30. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. David had served 4.3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
David was 30. 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. David had served 4.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 30. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. David had served 4.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 13.9%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Cathedral City Police Department.
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
Cathedral City Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, David among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cathedral City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
