Prev
Incident
Sergeant Loren Whitehat was shot and killed as he assisted his twin brother, also a Navajo Division of Public Safety officer, arrest a DUI suspect. The suspect had fled into a nearby rocky area off of Highway 160. When Sergeant Whitehat caught the subject, the man was able to gain control of his service revolver. The man opened fire, killing Sergeant Whitehat. The subject was convicted in connection with Sergeant Whitehat's murder and sentenced to six years in prison. Sergeant Whitehat was assigned to the Tuba City District. He had served with the Navajo Division of Public Safety for one year and had previously served four years as a tribal ranger for the Navajo Resource Enforcement Division.
Survivors
He was survived by wife, three children, and twin brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtptqg0cce8718d4e5dv0- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Loren. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Whitehat gave the Navajo Division of Public Safety 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Window Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Whitehat.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Navajo Division of Public Safety has lost 17 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Loren is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Loren is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Loren 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 1979, 1 officer at Navajo Division of Public Safety was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 2.
In 1979, 2 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1979, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1979, 153 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Loren was 30. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Navajo Division of Public Safety whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 36; the middle age was 34. Loren had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Loren was 30. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Loren had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Loren was 30. 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. Loren had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Loren was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Loren had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 11.1% of these deaths at Navajo Division of Public Safety; December holds the most, 22.2%. Thursdays: 22.2%.
May holds 13.2% of these deaths in AZ, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 52.9% of all 17 deaths at Navajo Division of Public Safety, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 22.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.9% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Navajo Division of Public Safety has 17 officers remembered here, Loren among them.
-
Hoska Thompson
Oct 20, 1949
-
Gordon C. James
Aug 30, 1960
-
Burton Begay Nov 17, 1975
-
Loren Whitehat, Sr.
May 10, 1979
-
Andy Begay
Dec 5, 1987
-
Roy Lee Stanley
Dec 5, 1987
-
Hoskie Allen Gene
Jan 6, 1996
-
Samuel Anthony Redhouse
Feb 17, 1997
-
Esther Todacheene
Jun 8, 1998
-
Winsonfred A. Filfred
Apr 2, 1999
-
Darrell Cervandez Curley
Jun 26, 2011
-
Ernest Jesus Montoya, SR
Nov 30, 2014
-
Alexander K. Yazzie
Mar 19, 2015
-
LeAnder Frank
Aug 30, 2016
-
Houston James Largo
Mar 12, 2017
-
Michael Lee
Jun 18, 2020
-
Esther Charley
Jun 22, 2020
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Navajo Division of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.
