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Incident
Officer James Rapozo died in surgery at 5:50 pm from a gunshot wound he suffered during a SWAT raid. The shootout also left one suspect dead and another man injured. Officer Rapozo was wearing a bulletproof vest, but the bullet hit his body in the underarm area and entered his chest. He was taken to Kaweah Delta Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The suspect who was killed was wanted in a shooting that left five people injured on Christmas Eve. Officer Rapozo had served with the Visalia Police Department for six years and was a member of the SWAT team. He was the first Visalia officer to die in the line of fire since 1946.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
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 Rapozo gave the Visalia Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Visalia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Rapozo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Visalia Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1998, 11 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1998, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1998, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 33. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 33. 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. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15.1%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Visalia Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Visalia Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Visalia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
