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Dennis Randall Wallace
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Dennis Wallace was shot and killed at Fox Grove Park in Hughson while investigating a suspicious vehicle.
He requested a backup officer after dispatchers alerted him that the vehicle was stolen. When the second deputy arrived, he discovered Deputy Wallace suffering two gunshot wounds to the head. It was quickly determined that he was shot in the head at point-blank range.
The suspect fled the scene in the stolen car before carjacking a second vehicle. The man was taken into custody by members of the Lindsay Police Department later in the day after attempting to steal a woman's purse.
The suspect was found guilty of first-degree murder in March 2021 and sentenced 45 years to life.
Deputy Wallace had served with the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Wallace gave the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Modesto community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wallace.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Dennis is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Dennis is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dennis 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 2016, 6 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 2016, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2016, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 83rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dennis was 53. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Dennis had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dennis was 53. 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. Dennis had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dennis was 53. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dennis had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 15.8%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. 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
Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department has 6 officers remembered here, Dennis among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
