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Incident
Officer George Bredenberg succumbed to injuries sustained three days earlier when the vehicle he was riding in struck a train in dense fog. Officer Joe Kerley and Officer Glenn Winans were killed instantly in the collision. The three officers were responding to a prowler car when the accident occurred. The impact was so great that the refrigerated car that they struck was derailed. Officer Winans and Officer Kerley were in the front seats and Officer Bredenberg was in the rear seat. The accident occurred at midnight during the shift change. Officer Winans and Officer Kerley were just getting off work and Officer Bredenberg was just reporting to duty. Officer Bredenberg had served with the Turlock Police Department for seven months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
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 Bredenberg served with the Turlock Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Turlock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bredenberg.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Turlock Police Department has lost 5 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
George is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
George is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George 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 1949, 6 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1949, 45 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 103rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1949, 54 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
George was 37. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. George had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
George 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. George had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 37. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. George had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.8% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 13.9%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Turlock Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Turlock Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, George among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Turlock Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
