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Incident
Police Officer Dan Bessant was shot after he responded to assist another officer on a traffic stop.
An officer had requested back up during a traffic stop near the intersection of Arthur Avenue and Gold Drive in Oceanside. Officer Bessant responded and was shot from behind by a person who was not a part of the traffic stop. The shot struck Officer Bessant under his arm in an area not covered by his bullet-resistant vest.
He was flown to Scripps Memorial Hospital where he died from the injury.
Two teenage suspects were arrested and charged with Officer Bessant's murder. One of them was convicted of murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in November 2009. The second pleaded guilty to felony manslaughter and was also sentenced to life in prison. The second subject admitted to shooting Officer Bessant in order to gain respect from his fellow gang members.
Officer Bessant had served with the Oceanside Police Department for three years and had worked in an unsworn position for three years prior to that.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 2-month-old child.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Police Officer Bessant gave the Oceanside Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oceanside community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bessant.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oceanside Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Daniel is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2006, 10 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 2006, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2006, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Daniel was 25. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Daniel had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 25. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 25. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8.2% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Oceanside Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 7.4% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Oceanside Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Daniel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Oceanside Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
