Bruce Verhoeven Foundation

Home
United States
Sacramento, CA
Bruce Verhoeven Foundation

A non-profit organization created to assist law enforcement members and survivors of slain law enforcement members in times of need or hardship

The Bruce Verhoeven Foundation is a not-for profit organization. Federal Tax ID # 94-2310800

06/07/2026

IN MEMORIAM: KENNETH B. ROYAL - END OF WATCH: JUNE 7, 1968

Kenneth Royal responded to back up a fellow officer who had initiated a felony vehicle stop on two subjects believed to be responsible for the armed robbery of a south area tavern that had been broadcast minutes earlier.

After repeated demands by the officer who had made the stop for the suspects to exit the vehicle, the driver suddenly jumped from the car and fled on foot across a nearby field. Officer Royal arrived at the scene and while his fellow officer covered him, he approached the suspect still inside the car. The man opened the car door and began to exit. Suddenly, he drew a gun from his waistband and fired, striking Officer Royal. Both officers returned fire as the suspect attempted to flee. He collapsed in the field from his injuries.

Officer Royal died at the scene. The suspect who fled earlier was captured by officers a short time later. Officer Royal's assailant recovered from his gunshot wounds and was sentenced to state prison for armed robbery and murder.

The Kenneth B. Royal Firing Range located at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center is named in memory of Officer Royal.

The Bruce Verhoeven Foundation placed flowers on Deputy Royal’s gravesite.

Please be careful out there!

06/03/2026

June 3, 1955 - William L. Littlejohn was rushing a su***de victim to the hospital in his patrol car when it was struck by a car driven by a drunk driver. Two days later Deputy Littlejohn died from the injuries he received during the collision. Deputy Littlejohn is buried at the Sylvan Cemetery on Greenback Lane.

The Board of Directors of the Bruce Verhoeven Foundation will place a floral remembrance at Deputy Littlejohn's gravesite to honor our fallen officer. A remembrance notice will also be placed in the Sacramento Bee to remind all of our citizens of the sacrifice this brave men gave to his community.
Be careful out there.

The Bruce Verhoeven Foundation

04/25/2026

IN MEMORIAM:
Deputy Gene Luther died on April 25, 1980 at the hands of an armed robber.

Deputy Luther was leaving a north area restaurant at approximately 2200 hours and as he approached his vehicle he was confronted by an armed suspect. The man demanded money from Deputy Luther. Deputy Luther reached for a small handgun he was carrying, but before he could fire the suspect shot him. Deputy Luther was able to return fire and it is believed he may have struck the suspect. Within minutes Deputy Luther died at the scene.

Despite and intensive investigation no one was ever arrested for the murder of Deputy Luther. He is buried at the Odd Fellows Lawn Cemetery located at 2720 Riverside Boulevard. Members of the Board of Directors of the Bruce Verhoeven Foundation will place flowers at his grave in remembrance of his service to his Department and this community.
Be careful out there.

03/29/2026

On January 27, 1986, Deputy Paul DeRouen was dispatched to a location on Waterman Road near Elk Grove Boulevard. It had been reported that a fight was in progress at that location. While Deputy DeRouen was trying to subdue one of the suspects, he and the man struggled and fell onto the roadway. A speeding car struck both men and Deputy DeRouen was thrown 38 feet and received life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to the hospital where he underwent surgery and had his left leg amputated, along with most of his left hip. He required over 50 pints of blood.
Paul was a fighter, and never gave up. He wanted to remain with his family and continue his law enforcement career. This attitude made it possible for him to leave the hospital after only three months and return home. He demonstrated tremendous strength as he fought to resume his life and career. He continued to fight the fight for over 22 years when his devastating injuries finally took his life on March 29, 2008.
It is a fitting tribute to Paul and his family that he is now recognized and forever remembered as paying the ultimate sacrifice in giving his life in the line of duty. His name was placed at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC as well as at the Sacramento Police Sheriff’s Memorial.
The Bruce Verhoeven Foundation will place flowers at his grave site to honor his life- long sacrifice for his family and this community.
Be safe out there.......

03/12/2026

Captain Charles Ogle died on March 12, 1951, following a traffic accident between his patrol car and a taxi cab.
Captain Ogle was a 28-year veteran of the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department.
Captain Ogle was assigned to the “Advisement Branch” at the time of his death. In those days this was the “branch” responsible for the training
of young deputies. But he would often take out a patrol car and help protect the streets of Sacramento. It was during one of these patrol duties that he lost his life.
Captain Charles Ogle is buried at East Lawn Cemetery at 43rd and Folsom Boulevard.
Members of the Bruce Verhoeven Foundation will place flowers at his grave site in memory of his dedication to the law enforcement profession and his service to the people of this community.

01/21/2026

On January 21, 1988, Sergeant Richard Deffner lost his life in the line of duty.

Sgt. Deffner was commanding the Special Enforcement Detail in an all day search for an armed robbery suspect who had been active in the Rancho Cordova area. The search was terminated because of darkness. Several hours later a direct confrontation happened, when the suspect fired at patrol officers and took cover at a public storage area near a large apartment complex. A perimeter was established and S.E.D. once again returned to the scene.

Sgt. Deffner realized that if the suspect was on the roof of the apartment complex he would have a definite advantage over the officers below. Sgt. Deffner made the decision to search the roof area with two of his team members. Not finding the suspect on the roof, the officers heard noises coming from the yard below. Sgt. Deffner peered over the edge of the roof and was shot in the face by the suspect.

The funeral for Sergeant Deffner was the largest tribute paid to a police officer that we had ever seen. We were overwhelmed by the show of sympathy and respect for the law enforcement community. The procession to the cemetery was miles long. Community members lined Interstate 80 as we made our way to Mt. Vernon Memorial Park.

Members of the Bruce Verhoeven Foundation will place flowers at Sergeant Deffner’s grave in remembrance of his dedication to his fellow officers and the people of Sacramento County.
Be careful out there……………
Bruce Verhoeven Board of Directors

01/18/2026

On the evening of January 18, 2021, deputies were pro-actively patrolling in the area of Arden Way and Howe Avenue. Deputies spotted a vehicle, in a parking lot, which matched the description of a car involved in a series of burglaries reported within the county. Deputies made contact with the occupant, who became uncooperative and fled the scene in his vehicle. After a pursuit by deputies, the suspect crashed into a fence and his vehicle became immobilized. Deputies issued multiple directives for the suspect to exit the vehicle, but he refused. A K9 was deployed into the vehicle to encourage the suspect to surrender. The suspect fired a gun at deputies as they began to take him into custody. Two deputies and one K9 were shot in the altercation, and K9 Riley died at the scene. Deputy Adam Gibson was transported to a hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Deputy Gibson had served two tours of duty in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marine Corps prior to his law enforcement career. He was a six-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, where he served with distinction in protecting and serving the citizens of Sacramento County.

There is no greater sacrifice made by man than to give up his life while providing for the safety of others. Deputy Gibson has been honored by his community many times since his passing, and his law enforcement family continues to grieve his loss. The Verhoeven Foundation joins with his family, his law enforcement family, and friends in remembering this brave young man who was taken away from us too soon. We never forget.

Members of the Bruce Verhoeven Foundation will place a floral tribute to Adam at his gravesite in honor of his service and sacrifice to this community.

Be careful out there.

01/02/2026

On January 2, 1983, Detective David Miller lost his life in the line of duty.

Detective Miller was leaving a North area business with his brother-in-law when an altercation between his brother-in-law and two other men took place in the parking lot. The two men jumped into their car and swerved into and struck David’s brother-in-law as they fled the scene. Detective Miller pursued the men in his truck. He reached the suspect vehicle and attempted to force their vehicle to the side of the road.
In doing so, his truck veered from the roadway and hit
a power pole. He was killed instantly. It was later learned from the investigation that the brother-in-law was accidentally struck by the car and only received minor injuries. Detective Miller pursued the suspect vehicle believing a deliberate act of violence had occurred and it was his duty to apprehend the suspects.

Detective David Miller is buried at Mount Vernon Memorial Park on Greenback Lane. Members of the Bruce Verhoeven Foundation will place flowers at his grave site in remembrance of his dedication to duty and his oath to protect and serve his community.

Stay safe out there.

Board of Directors
Bruce Verhoeven Foundation

12/20/2025

December 19, 2007 - The Sheriff's Department lost a valued member, Detective Vu Nguyen. Vu was shot to death during a foot pursuit through a south Sacramento neighborhood by a young man believed to be involved in gang activity.

The Bruce Verhoeven Foundation will honor his memory by placing flowers at his gravesite and by published a memorial obituary in the Sacramento Bee.

As always, please be careful out there!

12/12/2025

IN MEMORIAM: Deputy Roger L. Bauman

On December 12, 1961, Sheriff's deputies Roger Bauman and Warren Lee responded to a bar on Auburn Boulevard at the closing hour where the proprietress reported a robbery attempt by an intoxicated subject armed with a gun. The officers observed the suspect vehicle a short time later and a pursuit ensued covering several blocks. Twice the suspect attempted to sideswipe the marked unit until the officers were finally able to force the suspect to stop to avoid driving into an open ditch.

Officer Bauman, who was still inside the vehicle, had his service revolver pointed at the suspect while Officer Lee ran to the rear of the squad car and around to the suspect's vehicle. Officer Lee then heard two shots. An exchange of gunfire between the suspect and Officer Bauman left the suspect dead at the scene. Officer Bauman died a short time later in the hospital following surgery.

The Roger Bauman Facility exists today at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center as a tribute to the memory of this fallen officer.

Address

P. O. Box 160923
Sacramento, CA
95816

Website

http://www.verhoevenfoundation.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bruce Verhoeven Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Zion Utopia Media

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Sacramento?