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Incident
Police Officer Diego Moreno was struck and killed by a patrol car while deploying spike strips during a vehicle pursuit.
The pursuit started after officers began investigating the sounds of gunfire they heard in the area of a mobile home park. They attempted to stop a pickup truck from leaving the area, but the 16-year-old driver refused to stop and led officers on a pursuit along Route 516.
Officer Moreno was attempting to deploy spike strips at the intersection of Route 516 and Meeker Street when he was struck by one of the patrol cars involved in the pursuit. The patrol car then crashed into several parked vehicles.
The truck continued to flee but crashed a short distance away. One occupant in the vehicle and the other two were arrested after fleeing the area. The driver was charged with murder, and the other two were charged in connection with the initial shooting. In November 2019, the driver pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 4 years in juvenile detention.
Officer Moreno had served with the Kent Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, mother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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 Moreno gave the Kent Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kent community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Moreno.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Kent Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Diego is one of 111 officers lost to accidents in WA, 32.6% of the 340 remembered there.
Diego is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Diego is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 1 officer in WA was lost to accidents, the 30th heaviest of 70 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 5.
In 2018, 50 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2018, 52 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 101st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Diego was 35. Of the 92 lost to accidents in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46.3; the middle age was 38. Diego had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Diego was 35. 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. Diego had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Diego was 35. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Diego had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.7% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 15.3%. Sundays: 18.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Kent Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 32.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 9.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Kent Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Diego among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kent Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
