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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joshua Lancaster was killed when his unmarked vehicle was broadsided by a stolen car being pursued by the Sanger Police Department.
He was pulling away from a stop sign at the intersection of E. Adams Avenue and S. Maple Avenue when his vehicle was struck on the driver's side at 12:09 am. The driver, who was wanted for kidnapping, was estimated to be driving at 90 mph at the time of the collision. The man was seriously injured and a pregnant female passenger was also killed.
Deputy Lancaster was searching for burglary suspects and was not aware that the pursuit was occurring.
Deputy Lancaster had served with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Lancaster gave the Fresno County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fresno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Lancaster.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Fresno County Sheriff's Office has lost 15 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
Joshua is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Joshua is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joshua is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2003, 1 officer at Fresno County Sheriff's Office was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2003, 10 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 10th heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 2003, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2003, 94 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joshua was 27. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Fresno County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 28.5 and 44; the middle age was 35.5. Joshua had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Joshua was 27. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Joshua had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joshua was 27. 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. Joshua had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joshua was 27. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joshua had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 16.7% of these deaths at Fresno County Sheriff's Office; October holds the most, 33.3%. Thursdays: 50%.
May holds 6.4% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 15 deaths at Fresno County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 7.6% 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Fresno County Sheriff's Office has 15 officers remembered here, Joshua among them.
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Joe Dodd Price
Mar 13, 1907
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John J. O'Leary
Mar 31, 1931
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William Harry Collins
Feb 25, 1937
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Richard Thomas Bain
Nov 16, 1961
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Harold Hurst
Oct 2, 1968
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David G. Graves
Nov 5, 1982
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Jeffrey Sean Isaac
Sep 8, 1997
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Erik Jon Telen
Aug 21, 2001
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Dennis Earl Phelps
May 20, 2002
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Joshua Clyde Lancaster
May 29, 2003
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Joel Brian Wahlenmaier
Feb 25, 2010
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Rod Barron Lucas
Oct 31, 2016
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Jose Cruz Mora
Sep 7, 2020
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Toamalama Scanlan
Oct 12, 2021
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Juan Cruz, Jr.
Nov 5, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Fresno County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
