Michael David Gartrell
Agency patch
Police Officer

Michael David Gartrell

Sacramento Police Department — Sacramento, CA
Accident
End of Watch April 25, 1991
Age 37
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
The Vigil Panel 137 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Michael Gartrell was killed in an on-duty auto accident while in pursuit of a suspected drunk driver at Martin Luther King, Jr and Interstate 99. While chasing a suspect in a stolen car, Officer Gartrell lost control and hit a concrete barrier at over 80 mph. The suspect was apprehended and convicted of operating a stolen vehicle. Officer Gartrell had served with the Sacramento Police Department for seven years and had served with the Honolulu Police Department for eight years prior.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, stepson, parents, and brother.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Gartrell gave the Sacramento Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sacramento community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Gartrell.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Sacramento, Sacramento County, CA
Platform Identity spd.sacramento.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 25, 1991
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
Age 37
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Weapon Not available

The Sacrifice · Accident

Michael is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1991, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Michael was 37. 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 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.6% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Sacramento Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, Michael among them.

VI

Where

Police Officer Michael David Gartrell

Sacramento Police Department · End of Watch April 25, 1991

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W

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