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David Harvey Stahl
Incident
Deputy Sheriff David Stahl was shot and killed by a suspect wanted for several crimes, including abduction. He was attempting to arrest the man on Old River Road when he was shot in the head. The subject was apprehended and sentenced to death in two different trials. He was eventually convicted of a lesser murder charge and was paroled in 1975. He was released from parole in 1978. Deputy Stahl had served with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office for four years and had previously served with the Oakland Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his two children.
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 Stahl gave the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Luis Obispo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Stahl.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
David is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1961, 10 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 40. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. David had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 40. 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. David had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15.1%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 22.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, David among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.