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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Kelly Ann Bazer was shot and killed by one of three men who attempted to rob her while she was off-duty in the 900 block of Sweetwater Road. When the suspects demanded the keys to her vehicle, she ran and was fatally shot in the back. Although off-duty, she was still wearing her uniform. The subjects were running from the scene of a commercial robbery they had just committed at a nearby supermarket. All three suspects were arrested and charged with murder and armed robbery. The shooter was convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery and sentenced to 35 years to life. A second suspect, who had been released from prison three days earlier for his involvement in the stabbing death of a rival gang member, was also convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery and sentenced to 35 years to life. The third suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years. Deputy Bazer had only been with the San Diego Sheriff's Department for five days.
Survivors
She is survived by two children.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Bazer served with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bazer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
San Diego County Sheriff's Department has lost 11 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Kelly is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Kelly is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kelly 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 1986, 1 officer at San Diego County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1986, 7 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1986, 98 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1986, 112 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Kelly was 28. Of the 6 killed feloniously at San Diego County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 35; the middle age was 32. Kelly had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Kelly was 28. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Kelly had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kelly was 28. 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. Kelly had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kelly was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Kelly had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 16.7% of these deaths at San Diego County Sheriff's Department; May holds the most, 33.3%. Mondays: 33.3%.
January holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 12.9%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 54.5% of all 11 deaths at San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Her people
San Diego County Sheriff's Department has 11 officers remembered here, Kelly among them.
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Andrew Kriss
May 25, 1864
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Will Ward Nov 27, 1899
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Thomas A. Fay May 17, 1919
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Herbert Dean Sibert
Jul 13, 1949
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Donn G. Witt
Sep 25, 1983
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Kelly Ann Bazer
Jan 13, 1986
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Lonny Gene Brewer
Dec 5, 1987
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Theodore L. Beckmann, Jr.
Feb 8, 1989
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Patrick Steven Coyle
Feb 16, 1997
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Kenneth James Collier
Feb 28, 2010
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Matthew S. Gibbs
Aug 21, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from San Diego County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
