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Incident
Deputy Birdsell and Officer Eugene Jennings, of the Pomeroy Police Department, were killed during a vehicle pursuit west of Clarkston. During the chase the suspect failed to negotiate a curve and the vehicle ran up an embankment. As the two patrol cars came around the corner the vehicle came off of the embankment and landed on top of Officer Jennings' patrol car. Deputy Birdsell's patrol car then crashed into the back of Officer Jennings patrol car. Deputy Birdsell was killed instantly and Officer Jennings succumbed to his injuries the following day.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Birdsell served with the Garfield County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Pomeroy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Birdsell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lee is the only officer of Garfield County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Lee is one of 111 officers lost to accidents in WA, 32.6% of the 340 remembered there.
Lee is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lee 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 1968, 5 officers in WA were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1968, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1968, 117 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
September holds 15.3% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 15.3%. Thursdays: 10.8%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Garfield County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 32.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 9.9% 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 automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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