David Bannister
Agency patch
Patrolman

David Bannister

El Paso Police Department — El Paso, TX
Accident
End of Watch June 3, 1974
Age 27
The Vigil Panel 113 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman David Bannister was killed in an automobile accident while chasing a juvenile suspect. The suspect had taken his father's car without permission. During the chase the suspect slammed on the brakes, causing Patrolman Bannister to swerve to avoid a collision. As Patrolman Bannister swerved his vehicle struck the median of a divided road, a low rock wall erected around planters. His cruiser slid along the top of the wall and flipped, causing a fatal head injury.

Survivors

Patrolman Bannister was survived by his wife and daughter.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Patrolman Bannister served with the El Paso Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the El Paso community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Bannister.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location El Paso, El Paso County, TX
Platform Identity eppd.elpaso.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 3, 1974
Age 27
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Weapon Not available

The Sacrifice · Accident

David is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1974, 98 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

David was 27. 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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.6% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

El Paso Police Department has 34 officers remembered here, David among them.

Patrolman David Bannister

El Paso Police Department · End of Watch June 3, 1974

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W

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