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Incident
Sergeant Howie Stevenson was shot and killed after responding to a suspicious person call at a liquor store at 2125 Caswell Avenue in Ceres.
Sergeant Stevenson and other officers had responded to a liquor store on North Central Avenue to investigate reports of an armed male who was acting strangely. The first officer on the scene was shot and wounded by the suspect. This officer took cover behind a car and returned fire as Sergeant Stevenson arrived at the scene. Sergeant Stevenson exited his patrol car from the opposite side of the store and immediately engaged the suspect, firing eight shots before being shot himself. Sergeant Stevenson was struck three times in his torso and legs. The suspect then shot him twice in the head as he lay on the ground.
The suspect exchanged shots with responding officers before fleeing the scene. He was shot and killed approximately three hours later during a second shootout. The suspect was believed to be under the influence of cocaine at the time of the incident.
Sergeant Stevenson had served with the Ceres Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Stevenson gave the Ceres Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Ceres community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Stevenson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Howard is the only officer of Ceres Police Department remembered here.
Howard is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Howard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Howard 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 2005, 9 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 2005, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2005, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Howard was 39. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Howard had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Howard was 39. 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. Howard had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Howard was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Howard had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 15.8%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ceres Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle; sks, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; sks, in 0.3% 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 rifle; sks, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; sks, in 0.1% of these deaths.
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
0 officers from Ceres Police Department are honored on badge.nw.