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Incident
Officer Bernard Bennett succumbed to gunshot wounds inflicted four days earlier when he was shot by a sniper while patrolling Oak Park on 35th Street. He was shot with a high powered rifle and the round penetrated the roof of his patrol car and his helmet, before striking him in the head. No one was ever convicted for his murder.
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.
Police Officer Bennett gave the Sacramento Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sacramento community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bennett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sacramento Police Department has lost 17 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Bernard is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Bernard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bernard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 1 officer at Sacramento Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1963, with 2.
In 1970, 24 officers in CA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bernard was 25. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Sacramento Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26.3 and 37.8; the middle age was 28. Bernard had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Bernard was 25. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Bernard had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bernard was 25. 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. Bernard had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bernard was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bernard had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 10% of these deaths at Sacramento Police Department; February holds the most, 20%. Wednesdays: 30%.
May holds 7.7% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 58.8% of all 17 deaths at Sacramento Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 8.6% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Sacramento Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, Bernard among them.
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George C. Chapman Apr 28, 1858
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Joseph Scott Dec 7, 1878
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Charles H. Wetzel
Aug 29, 1893
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Frank Auener Lungershausen
Dec 27, 1935
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Frank Fragoso Mello
Jun 30, 1951
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Arnold Z. Gamble
Feb 15, 1963
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Eugene Edgar McKnight
Jul 23, 1963
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Bernard M. Bennett
May 13, 1970
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Andrew Lee Collins
Apr 19, 1972
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Doyle Allen Popovich
Aug 3, 1974
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Rodney Taylor Butts
Oct 15, 1975
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William Henry Warner
Jun 1, 1981
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Michael David Gartrell
Apr 25, 1991
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Emily Jewett Morgenroth
Oct 17, 1997
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William Chandler Bean, Jr.
Feb 9, 1999
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Matthew M Prichard Apr 20, 2008
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Tara Christina O'Sullivan
Jun 19, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Sacramento Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
