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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ken Collier was killed in a single-vehicle crash during a pursuit.
Deputy Collier was heading west on Route 52 from Santee when he spotted a wrong-way driver coming at him and reported the incident to his dispatcher. He turned around and was trying to overtake the driver when the squad car struck an abutment and rolled down a hill. A dispatcher riding with the deputy was injured in the accident. Deputy Collier was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
The driver of the wrong-way vehicle was caught nearby and was charged with vehicular manslaughter and drunken driving. He was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison.
Deputy Collier had served with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department for nine years. He had previously served with the San Diego County Marshal's Office for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his fiancee, brother, and sister.
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 Collier gave the San Diego County Sheriff's Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Collier.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
San Diego County Sheriff's Department has lost 11 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Kenneth is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kenneth 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 2010, 6 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 2010, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2010, 78 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 60th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Kenneth was 39. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Kenneth had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Kenneth was 39. 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. Kenneth had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kenneth was 39. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Kenneth had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 27.3% of all 11 deaths at San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 33.3% 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 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
San Diego County Sheriff's Department has 11 officers remembered here, Kenneth among them.
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Andrew Kriss
May 25, 1864
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Will Ward Nov 27, 1899
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Thomas A. Fay May 17, 1919
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Herbert Dean Sibert
Jul 13, 1949
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Donn G. Witt
Sep 25, 1983
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Kelly Ann Bazer
Jan 13, 1986
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Lonny Gene Brewer
Dec 5, 1987
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Theodore L. Beckmann, Jr.
Feb 8, 1989
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Patrick Steven Coyle
Feb 16, 1997
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Kenneth James Collier
Feb 28, 2010
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Matthew S. Gibbs
Aug 21, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from San Diego County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
