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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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- 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
El Paso Police Department has lost 34 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
David is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
David is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1974, 1 officer at El Paso Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1974, 11 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
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.
In 1974, 106 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
David was 27. Of the 7 lost to accidents at El Paso Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 37; the middle age was 27.
David was 27. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36.
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.
David was 27. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
June holds 28.6% of these deaths at El Paso Police Department; December holds the most, 28.6%. Mondays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Mondays: 12.8%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 20.6% of all 34 deaths at El Paso Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.4% of these deaths.
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.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.3% of these deaths.
His people
El Paso Police Department has 34 officers remembered here, David among them.
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Thomas P. Moad Jul 11, 1883
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Newton Stewart
Feb 17, 1900
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William Paschall
Dec 4, 1914
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Gus Chitwood
Feb 13, 1915
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Sidney J. Benson
Jun 28, 1917
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Octaviano Perea
Feb 1, 1918
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George Franklin Drake
Sep 22, 1918
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Harry Phoenix
Jun 13, 1921
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Frank Burns
Apr 12, 1923
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Enrique Rivera Nov 25, 1923
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John Jack Coleman
Jul 14, 1924
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Lynn Reed McClintock
Oct 3, 1926
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Schuyler C. Houston
Oct 4, 1927
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Ralph O. Marmolejo
Mar 17, 1951
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Warren Mitchell
May 16, 1953
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Guillermo Sanchez
Dec 14, 1957
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Arthur Joe Lavender, Jr.
Dec 16, 1966
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Roger A. Hamilton
Jun 21, 1970
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Guy Ray Myers, Jr.
Jul 24, 1970
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David Bannister
Jun 3, 1974
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Wayne V. Carreon
Jun 10, 1981
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Charles Douglas Heinrich
Aug 29, 1985
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Norman Michael Montion
Oct 16, 1989
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Ernesto Serna
Nov 12, 1991
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Angel Andrew Barcena
Sep 25, 2004
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Karl Raymond McDonough
Oct 13, 2010
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Jonathan Keith Molina
Oct 5, 2012
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Angel David Garcia
Dec 16, 2012
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Adrian Arellano
Mar 18, 2015
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David Ortiz
Mar 14, 2016
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Camerino Santiago
Jan 11, 2021
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Jonathan Andre Terrazas
Sep 1, 2021
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Gerardo Morales
Jan 7, 2022
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Santos Perez
Dec 2, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
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