Prev
Laura Jean Cleaves
Incident
Senior Investigator Laura Cleaves was killed when her department vehicle was struck head-on by a drunk driver on Highway 154, near the intersection of Highway 246. She was returning to Lompoc from Santa Barbara when the incident occurred shortly before midnight.
The drunk driver, who was fleeing a California Highway Patrol officer at the time of the crash, was taken into custody following the incident.
Investigator Cleaves had served with the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office for 24 years and had served in law enforcement for a total of 32 years. She had previously served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Arcata Police Department, and the Santa Barbara Police Department.
Survivors
She is survived by her husband, who serves with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, two daughters, mother, father, step-mother, and four siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnphfvat38k4490tqb00- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Laura. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
32 years. You could have gone home.
Senior Investigator Cleaves gave the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office 32 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Barbara community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Senior Investigator Cleaves.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Laura is the only officer of Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office remembered here.
Laura is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Laura is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Laura 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 2008, 5 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 2008, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2008, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Laura was 53. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Laura had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Laura was 53. 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. Laura had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Laura was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Laura had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.7% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, 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; alcohol involved, in 1.4% 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 automobile; alcohol involved, in 1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office are honored on badge.nw.