Incident
Officer Jeffrey Fontana was shot and killed while patrolling an affluent neighborhood in San Jose.
At approximately 4:30 am, Officer Fontana came upon a suspect who ambushed him, shooting him several times. Officer Fontana was found several feet from his patrol car with his weapon still in its holster. The shooter fled the scene but was apprehended one and a half weeks later.
In May 2009 the killer was convicted of second degree murder.
Officer Fontana had been employed with the San Jose Police Department for about one year, but had only been on patrol by himself for one week.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Police Officer Fontana served with the San Jose Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Jose community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Fontana.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
San Jose Police Department has lost 13 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Jeffrey is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Jeffrey is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jeffrey is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 1 officer at San Jose Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2001, 7 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 2001, 158 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2001, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jeffrey was 24. Of the 8 killed feloniously at San Jose Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 38.3; the middle age was 34.5. Jeffrey had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
Jeffrey was 24. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Jeffrey had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jeffrey was 24. 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. Jeffrey had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jeffrey was 24. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jeffrey had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 12.5% of these deaths at San Jose Police Department; July holds the most, 25%. Sundays: 12.5%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in CA, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.8%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 13 deaths at San Jose Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 7.4% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
San Jose Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Jeffrey among them.
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Morris Van Dyck Hubbard
Jul 12, 1924
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John Buck
Apr 5, 1933
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John J. Covalesk
Nov 15, 1950
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Richard E. Huerta
Aug 6, 1970
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Robert A. White
Jan 27, 1985
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Henry I. Bunch
Jul 29, 1985
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Robert Lee Wirht
Sep 8, 1988
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Gordon A. Silva
Jan 20, 1989
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Gene Ronald Simpson
Jan 20, 1989
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Desmond J. Casey
Oct 25, 1999
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Jeffrey Michael Fontana
Oct 28, 2001
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Michael Jeremiah Johnson
Mar 24, 2015
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Michael Jason Katherman
Jun 14, 2016
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-E
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