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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Michael Wilson was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by an 19-year-old driver who was passing several cars at 1600 hours. He and his training officer were en route to Lake Isabella when the accident occurred. Deputy Wilson suffered several head and internal injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival to Kern Medical Center. The driver and three passengers with her suffered moderate injuries. She was charged with vehicular manslaughter. Deputy Wilson had only served with the agency for six weeks and had served in law enforcement for 18 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Wilson gave the Kern County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Bakersfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Kern County Sheriff's Office has lost 28 officers; 18 of them lost to accidents.
Michael is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Michael is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1981, 1 officer at Kern County Sheriff's Office was lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1986, with 3.
In 1981, 8 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1981, 63 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1981, 81 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michael was 31. Of the 18 lost to accidents at Kern County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 45.8; the middle age was 37.5. Michael had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Michael was 31. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Michael had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michael was 31. 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. Michael had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 31. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 22.2% of these deaths at Kern County Sheriff's Office; August holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 11.1%.
October holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 64.3% of all 28 deaths at Kern County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Kern County Sheriff's Office has 28 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
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William Stewart Mettler Nov 6, 1873
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Oliver McCoy Jul 3, 1891
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John L. Powers
Jul 3, 1891
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William E. Tibbet
Apr 19, 1903
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Howard Hamilton Knott
Oct 6, 1945
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Clayton Hall Yearick
Nov 15, 1949
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Roland Lucien Barbeau
Feb 26, 1953
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Wayne Herman Trudell
Jun 4, 1962
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Robert Paul Grabner
Jul 11, 1962
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Samuel Harold Moore
Jul 11, 1962
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Frederic C. Scheberies
Jan 11, 1964
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Richard O. Slates Dec 21, 1966
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Donald Durr Hodges
Apr 14, 1969
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Terry Lee Greer
Aug 7, 1973
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Charles James Banning
Oct 23, 1974
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Michael Ronald Wilson
Oct 11, 1981
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Ray Leonard Mallory
Aug 16, 1983
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Lansing Lloyd Warren
Aug 16, 1983
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Michael Jay Bentley
Oct 19, 1983
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Ray Delton Bockman
Aug 16, 1986
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Marvin Ray Kline
Aug 16, 1986
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Douglas Robert Moonen
Aug 16, 1986
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Richard Robert McHale
Mar 3, 1989
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James Lee Williams
Oct 19, 1991
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Daniel Lee Archuleta
Sep 12, 2004
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William Joseph Hudnall, Jr.
Nov 14, 2006
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James Edward Throne
May 23, 2008
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Phillip Jesse Campas
Jul 25, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
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Others Who Wore This Badge
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