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Incident
Police Officer Michael Katherman was killed in a motorcycle crash at the intersection of North 10th Street and Horning Street at approximately 4:20 pm.
He was on patrol in the area when another vehicle attempted to turn left in front of him, causing the collision. Witnesses to the crash performed CPR on Officer Katherman and used his radio to call for assistance. He was transported to Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Katherman had served with the San Jose Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
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 Katherman gave the San Jose Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Jose community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Katherman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
San Jose Police Department has lost 13 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Michael is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Michael is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael 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 2016, 1 officer at San Jose Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2016, 4 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 2016, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2016, 52 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 101st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michael was 34. Of the 5 lost to accidents at San Jose Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 39; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Michael was 34. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michael was 34. 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. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 34. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at San Jose Police Department; January holds the most, 40%. Tuesdays: 20%.
June holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 16.3%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 38.5% of all 13 deaths at San Jose Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
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
San Jose Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
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Morris Van Dyck Hubbard
Jul 12, 1924
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John Buck
Apr 5, 1933
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John J. Covalesk
Nov 15, 1950
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Richard E. Huerta
Aug 6, 1970
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Robert A. White
Jan 27, 1985
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Henry I. Bunch
Jul 29, 1985
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Robert Lee Wirht
Sep 8, 1988
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Gordon A. Silva
Jan 20, 1989
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Gene Ronald Simpson
Jan 20, 1989
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Desmond J. Casey
Oct 25, 1999
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Jeffrey Michael Fontana
Oct 28, 2001
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Michael Jeremiah Johnson
Mar 24, 2015
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Michael Jason Katherman
Jun 14, 2016
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from San Jose Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
