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Incident
Officer Bill Lehn was killed when his motorcycle was struck by another vehicle during a pursuit. He was pursuing a stolen car when a motorist pulled out in front of him at the intersection of Clinton Avenue and San Pablo Avenue, causing a collision in which he was ejected from his motorcycle. Officer Lehn had served with the Fresno Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three daughters, step-son, grandson, mother, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
Officer Lehn gave the Fresno Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fresno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Lehn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Fresno Police Department has lost 15 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1994, 5 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1994, 81 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 26th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1994, 105 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 38. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 38. 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. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 38. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 16.3%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 20% of all 15 deaths at Fresno Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 7.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Fresno Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Harry S. Van Meter
Feb 21, 1907
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Lucius C. Smith Oct 10, 1907
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Clay V. Helms May 15, 1911
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Charles L. Rouse
Apr 16, 1916
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James M. Hardenbrook
Jul 31, 1922
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Frank G. Campbell
Jan 15, 1931
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John O. Brame
Jan 22, 1931
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Elmer Forsman
Oct 7, 1946
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Salvador G. Mosqueda
Aug 20, 1973
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Lanny Stevenson
Dec 8, 1979
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John R. Hissong, II
Jul 4, 1981
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William E. Lehn
Jun 21, 1994
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John Donald Herring
Jul 7, 2014
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Angel De La Fuente
Dec 28, 2020
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Richard Paul Brown, II
Feb 17, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Fresno Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
