Officer Down Memorial Page: End of Watch Report July 2015

The month of July is, historically, the deadliest month for law enforcement, with a total of 2,032 deaths having occurred in this month since 1791.  The five deaths in July 2015 bring July's historical total to 2,037.

While July 2015 fortunately did not follow the trend of being the deadliest month of the year, each of the five line of duty deaths marked the end of watch for an officer who dedicated their life to protecting and serving, and each death is a loss for us all.

The Officer Down Memorial Page extends our sincere condolences to the families, friends, and agencies who lost a hero this month.  Please take a moment to read each of their memorial pages. 

July 2015 Line of Duty Deaths:

Correctional Officer Gregory Dale Mitchell
Georgia Department of Corrections (GA)

Patrolman John James Wilding
Scranton Police Department (PA)

Corrections Officer Timothy Davison
Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TX)

Officer Vernell Brown, Jr.
New Orleans Police Department (LA)

Sergeant Scott Lunger
Hayward Police Department (CA)

Officer Down Memorial Page: End of Watch Report June 2015

June 2015 fortunately had fewer line of duty deaths than the preceding month.  However, with nine line of duty deaths, it was still a tragic and deadly month.

One death was the result of a 9/11-related illness: the 162nd law enforcement officer to die as a direct result of the terror attack on September 11, 2001.

Five of the nine line of duty deaths this month were vehicular -- one motorcycle accident, two automobile accidents, and two accidents during vehicle pursuits.  These incidents bring the number of auto-related deaths in 2015 up to 28, a 4% increase over this time last year, and a sobering reminder of the dangers inherent in even the most routine aspects of this job.

Two of the deaths this month were the result of felonious gunfire, bringing the total number up to 16 this year.

The other line of duty death in June occurred when an officer died due to complications during a surgical procedure required because of an assault he sustained in February of this year.

Please take a moment to recognize these heroes whose watch ended in June 2015:

Deputy U.S. Marshal Zacarias Toro 
Department of Justice, U.S. Marshals Service
EOW Sunday, June 14, 2015

Sheriff Ladson O'Connor
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Officer Rick Silva
Chehalis Police Department, WA
EOW Thursday, June 18, 2015

Officer Sonny Kim
Cincinnati Police Department, OH
EOW Friday, June 19, 2015

Officer Daryle Holloway
New Orleans Police Department, LA
EOW Saturday, June 20, 2015

Trooper Eric K. Chrisman
Kentucky State Police, KY
EOW Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Sergeant Christopher Kelley
Hutto Police Department, TX
EOW Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Sergeant Korby Kennedy
San Angelo Police Department, TX
EOW Thursday, June 25, 2015

Officer David Joseph Nelson
Bakersfield Police Department, CA
EOW Saturday, June 26, 2015





The Officer Down Memorial Page extends our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and agencies of these fallen heroes.  May they rest in peace.

Run for the Blue 5K

If you're looking for another way to support law enforcement, consider participating in the Run for the Blue 5K taking place this September in Clayton County, GA.

The Run for the Blue 5K is being organized and spear-headed by the family of  Mackenna Gosart, the 14-year old cross country runner who logged 118 miles this past January to honor each of the officers killed in the line of duty in the United States in 2014. 

As did her run in January, the Run for the Blue 5K this fall will support our friends at the Armor of God Project, a non-profit organization that provides tactical and ballistic vests to officers who are not issued them by their agencies and often cannot afford the expensive purchase on their own.  Mackenna already raised over $11,000 for Armor of God during her inspiration 118-mile month in January, and she's looking to continue her good work with this 5K in September.  Learn more about the Armor of God project here.

The Run for the Blue 5K also has a virtual option, so even if you're not in Georgia, you can register as a Ghost Runner and support this important cause from anywhere.

Get your tickets here, and support this great event!