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Incident
Officer Cecchetti was shot and killed while serving a narcotics warrant. As he entered the rear door of the home he encountered the suspect, who was attempting to flee. As Officer Cecchetti reacted, he stumbled on the steps and fell forward. The suspect fired one shot, striking Officer Cecchetti near the collar bone, just above his vest, in a downward direction, striking his heart. The suspect, 23, was arrested a short time later. On October 15, 1979, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole. As of December 1, 2022, he was in Vacaville Prison and is not being considered for parole. Officer Cecchetti was survived by his wife, two sons, and parents. His father served as the Stockton police chief at the time of the shooting.
Survivors
Officer Cecchetti was survived by his wife, two sons, and parents.
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.
Officer Cecchetti gave the Stockton Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Stockton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Cecchetti.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Stockton Police Department has lost 12 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Nicholas is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Nicholas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Nicholas 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 1978, 1 officer at Stockton Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1978, 14 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Nicholas was 27. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Stockton Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 40; the middle age was 32. Nicholas had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
Nicholas was 27. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Nicholas had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nicholas was 27. 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. Nicholas had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nicholas was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Nicholas had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 25% of these deaths at Stockton Police Department; February holds the most, 25%. Thursdays: 12.5%.
August holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 12 deaths at Stockton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 37.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Stockton Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Nicholas among them.
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George R. Turner Apr 14, 1854
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Henry R. Baker
Oct 17, 1894
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John Louis Briscoe
Feb 5, 1917
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Francis J. Murray
Aug 14, 1938
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Floyd N. Bristol
Mar 3, 1949
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George J. Woerhle
Apr 22, 1960
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Nicholas Paul Cecchetti
Aug 3, 1978
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Arthur E. Ford
Jan 18, 1988
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Timothy David White
Feb 4, 1990
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Arthur Paul Parga, Jr.
Jan 22, 1993
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Scott Martin Hewell
Jun 11, 2014
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Jimmy Arty Inn
May 11, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Stockton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
