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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Eugene Denton suffered a fatal heart attack at the Superior Courthouse while assisting a man who had collapsed in a courtroom. As Deputy Denton ran to find a doctor in a nearby building he collapsed. Both he and the man he was assisting were transported to San Jose Hospital, where they both died.
Survivors
Deputy Denton was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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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 Denton gave the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Jose community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Denton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Eugene is one of 52 officers lost to cardiac events in CA, 2.8% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Eugene is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eugene is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1955, 1 officer in CA was lost to cardiac events, the 11th heaviest of 42 years on record. The heaviest was 1961, with 2.
In 1955, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1955, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Eugene was 66. Of the 51 lost to cardiac events in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 52.5; the middle age was 44. Eugene had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Eugene was 66. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Eugene had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Eugene was 66. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Eugene had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
July holds 9.6% of these deaths in CA; January holds the most, 15.4%. Fridays: 19.2%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 14.3% of all 7 deaths at Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 2.8% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Eugene among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
