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Incident
Sergeant John Aguilar died after contracting leukemia as a result of extended contact with benzene, a chemical known to be a carcinogen. This occurred while he was a member of the agency's narcotics unit. During that time, Sergeant Aguilar had conducted over 25 raids on drug labs containing the chemical. He was admitted to the hospital for treatment on January 28, 1998, and passed away on June 30, 1998.
Sergeant Aguilar had served with the Santa Ana Police Department for 11 years and had previously served with the California Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement for 10 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, four daughters, and one grandson.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpy42daa7gm0r9391528- Stewardship
- 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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Aguilar gave the Santa Ana Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Ana community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Aguilar.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Santa Ana Police Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
John is one of 75 officers lost to illness in CA, 4.1% of the 1,839 remembered there.
John is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 1 officer in CA was lost to illness, the 8th heaviest of 19 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 25.
In 1998, 1 officer in the United States was lost to illness, the 75th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1998, 5 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 115th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
John was 43. Of the 75 lost to illness in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 53; the middle age was 48. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
John was 43. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
John was 43. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
June holds 4% of these deaths in CA; January holds the most, 13.3%. Tuesdays: 10.7%.
June holds 4.9% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
June holds 6.1% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Santa Ana Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 4.1% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Santa Ana Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Santa Ana Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
