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Incident
Sergeant Steve May succumbed to injuries sustained seven years earlier when his patrol car was rammed by a suspect in a stolen vehicle.
The suspect had rammed two Stanislaus County deputies earlier in the evening as they investigated the vehicle's license plates. The man fled into Modesto, where he was located and followed by a Modesto police officer.
As the driver began to flee from the officer he ran a stop sign at the intersection of South Santa Cruz and Mono Drive and crashed into Sergeant May's patrol car. The collision knocked the suspect's vehicle into a nearby house, which collapsed onto him and killed him. Sergeant May's vehicle was pushed into a tree, causing him to suffer a fractured skull and other injuries.
Sergeant May never regained consciousness and succumbed to his injuries seven years later.
Sergeant May had served with the Modesto Police Department for 23 years at the time of the crash.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant May gave the Modesto Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Modesto community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant May.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Modesto Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Steven is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Steven is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Steven 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 2009, 5 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 2009, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2009, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Steven was 53. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Steven had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Steven 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. Steven had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Steven was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Steven had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Modesto Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 50% 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.
His people
Modesto Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Steven among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Modesto Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
