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Incident
Officer Henry Bunch was shot and killed with his own service weapon after being overpowered by a suspect he had arrested for DUI. The suspect was found passed out and slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle. He was placed under arrest and handcuffed by Officer Bunch and his partner. The officers then transported the suspect back to the police facility to process him for drunk driving. At the police facility, Officer Bunch began the procedure to obtain a chemical sample from the suspect while his partner proceeded to secure his duty weapon at another area of the facility. During this time, Officer Bunch had not yet secured his duty weapon, and he and the prisoner were alone. The suspect was unhandcuffed by Officer Bunch, and he managed to obtain control of the officer's service weapon. The suspect shot Officer Bunch in the head and attempted to shoot Officer Bunch's partner when he came to assist. However, the partner was able to use the weapon and shoot the suspect in the head. Both Officer Bunch and the suspect were pronounced dead at the scene. Officer Bunch had served with the San Jose Police Department for five years and previously served with the Daly City Police Department for six years.
Survivors
The officer is survived by his wife, 6-year-old daughter, and two stepchildren, ages 7 and 4.
In Our Keeping
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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 Bunch gave the San Jose Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Jose community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bunch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
San Jose Police Department has lost 13 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Henry is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Henry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henry 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 1985, 1 officer at San Jose Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1985, 6 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1985, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1985, 125 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henry was 33. Of the 8 killed feloniously at San Jose Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 38.3; the middle age was 34.5. Henry had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
Henry was 33. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Henry had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry was 33. 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. Henry had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 25% of these deaths at San Jose Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 12.5%.
July holds 8.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 12.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 13 deaths at San Jose Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
San Jose Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Henry among them.
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Morris Van Dyck Hubbard
Jul 12, 1924
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John Buck
Apr 5, 1933
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John J. Covalesk
Nov 15, 1950
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Richard E. Huerta
Aug 6, 1970
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Robert A. White
Jan 27, 1985
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Henry I. Bunch
Jul 29, 1985
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Robert Lee Wirht
Sep 8, 1988
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Gordon A. Silva
Jan 20, 1989
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Gene Ronald Simpson
Jan 20, 1989
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Desmond J. Casey
Oct 25, 1999
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Jeffrey Michael Fontana
Oct 28, 2001
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Michael Jeremiah Johnson
Mar 24, 2015
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Michael Jason Katherman
Jun 14, 2016
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from San Jose Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
