Sacramento Police and Sheriff's Memorial Foundation

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Sacramento Police and Sheriff's Memorial Foundation

The Foundation seeks to pay tribute to fallen Sacramento Police Officers and Sheriffs Deputies and honor their families. Charity ID # 68-0267352

08/15/2026

Joseph McKinney was the first elected Sheriff in Sacramento County government and the first peace officer slain in the line of duty in Sacramento County.

Sheriff McKinney, a young man in his early 20's, lived in the gold rush fever days of the early west — an era burdened with a myriad of law and order problems. An epidemic known as "squatters’ riots" developed throughout the west and Sacramento was no exception. During the summer of 1850, several confrontations took place between Sacramento government officials and squatters, with heavy casualties on both sides.

Following the funeral of a slain City Assessor, Sheriff McKinney rounded up twenty deputies and rode to Brighton, a settlement several miles outside of Sacramento, where squatters had barricaded themselves in a house. As the Sheriff and his deputies entered the house, the Sheriff ordered the armed squatters to lay down their weapons. A volley of gunfire erupted, killing the young Sheriff, who stood in the foreground of the confrontation. Sheriff McKinney’s sacrifice in service of his community will never be forgotten.

08/11/2026

💙Never Forgotten 💙

On August 11, 1935, Chief Erskin Fish was shot to death in an almost western-style shoot-out. As he responded to a burglary call, a hail of bullets rained down as he encountered the two suspects fleeing from a bush.
It was a customary practice for the Chief to respond to calls alone and summon backup as needed.

Erskin Fish was 47 years old and had been the Chief of the North Sacramento Police Department for seven years at the time of his death. North Sacramento Police Department later merged with the Sacramento Police Department. Chief Fish’s sacrifice in service of his community will never be forgotten. 💙🕊

08/03/2026

💙Never Forgotten 💙

On August 3, 1974, Sacramento Police Detective Doyle Popovich was shot and killed at point-blank range with his own revolver. During the arrest of a suspected auto thief, the thief struggled with Detective Popovich and his partner. As the suspect was being handcuffed, he pulled Detective Popovich’s gun from its holster and fired, hitting the officer in the stomach. The suspect fled from the crime scene. After committing another crime, ironically at the home of another officer, the suspect was cornered, but escaped again. The suspect was recaptured after being reported to police by community members.

Detective Popovich was 37 years old and had served the Sacramento Police Department for nine years. Detective Popovich’s sacrifice in the service of his community will never be forgotten. 💙🕊

08/02/2026

💙Never Forgotten 💙

On August 1, 1981, District Attorney Investigator Grant Wilson was killed while serving a misdemeanor warrant on a man for failing to pay child support.
On the morning of the incident, Investigator Wilson and his partner arrived at a home on Varsity Court in North Highlands to serve the warrant on Jack Webster, who rented a room in the home. After being admitted by the homeowner and announcing their presence, Webster refused to open his bedroom door. The investigators forced entry into the bedroom, and Webster immediately opened fire, shooting both investigators multiple times. Investigator Wilson returned fire, killing Webster.

The wounded investigators retreated to an adjacent home where Investigator Wilson collapsed from his injuries. Investigator Wilson was hit three times; the fatal bullet striking him in the chest. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. His partner was taken to the hospital, critically injured.

Investigator Wilson was 32 years old. He had been with the District Attorney’s Office for two years and had previously served at the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy for six years. He was a graduate of California State University at Sacramento and lived in Sacramento with his wife and two children. Investigator Grant Wilson’s sacrifice in the service of his community will never be forgotten. 💙🕊

07/23/2026

💙Never Forgotten 💙

On July 23, 1963, Officer Eugene McKnight, a 16-year veteran of the Sacramento Police Department, lost his life. While off-duty, he and his wife were shopping for supplies for a trip to their cabin. As they approached the check stand, Officer McKnight noticed a robbery in progress.

Leaving his wife in the store, the armed officer moved carefully and followed the lone suspect outside. As Officer McKnight approached the suspect at his getaway car, the suspect’s partner suddenly grabbed Officer McKnight from behind. A cocked gun was pushed against the officer’s neck, jerking him. The gun went off and a bullet penetrated Officer McKnight’s neck, killing him instantly. Officer McKnight was 38 years old. Officer McKnight’s sacrifice in the service of his community will never be forgotten.

06/30/2026

💙Never Forgotten 💙

Sacramento Police Officer Frank Mello severed his leg when his motorcycle collided with a State Police car as he responded to a box alarm at 7th and H Streets. Officer Mello was treated at the scene by a doctor who happened to be a witness.

Officer Mello appeared to be recovering well from his injury and was released from the hospital. Approximately two months after his release, he became jaundiced and succumbed to his injuries on June 30, 1951.

Officer Mello was 23 years old and had served the Police Department for two years. Officer Mello’s sacrifice in the service of his community will never be forgotten. 💙🕊

06/19/2026

💙Never Forgotten 💙

On June 19, 2019, Sacramento Police Officer Tara O’Sullivan was working patrol in the North Sacramento area. The Sacramento Police Department received a call regarding a disturbance between a male and a female. Officers contacted the involved female and escorted her to a residence in the 200 block of Redwood Avenue to standby while she gathered some belongings from a residence.
At approximately 6:10 p.m., officers on scene reported shots had been fired. Officer O’Sullivan was struck by gunfire. Officers were not immediately able to assist Officer O’Sullivan as the suspect continued firing. An armored vehicle responded and Officer O’Sullivan was transported to the hospital. Despite heroic efforts by all, Officer Tara O’Sullivan later succumbed to her injuries.

After an hours-long standoff, the suspect, a 45-year-old male, surrendered and was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on charges relating to the murder of Officer O’Sullivan.

Officer Tara O’Sullivan was 26 years old and had served with the Sacramento Police Department for one and a half years. Officer O’Sullivan’s sacrifice in the service of her community will never be forgotten.

Officer O’Sullivan’s sacrifice in the service of her community will never be forgotten.💙🕊

06/13/2026

💙Never Forgotten 💙

On June 13, 1976, Sheriff's Deputy Stewart Baird, having completed an evening tour of duty at the Medical Detention Facility, proceeded to the place of business where his wife worked, to assist her in closing the business and driving her home. As he waited, a man entered the business armed with a sawed-off rifle. The subject announced his intent to rob the establishment, ordered the cash register emptied at gunpoint and demanded that Deputy Baird and the other remaining patrons stay seated with their heads down.

As the suspect attempted to leave the business, Deputy Baird confronted him, sparking an altercation. While the robber accosted him, Deputy Baird drew his revolver and fired two shots. Although one of the bullets rendered a subsequent mortal wound to the suspect, it failed to immediately incapacitate him. The suspect attacked Deputy Baird viciously, hitting him several times in the head and causing him to fall and strike his head. Deputy Baird died within minutes of receiving his injuries.

The robber fled, but collapsed on the sidewalk outside and subsequently died of his wounds. The suspect was identified as a parolee with a long and violent criminal history, including a previous arrest for murder.

Deputy Baird was 44 years old and had been with the Sheriff’s Office for 12 years. Deputy Baird’s sacrifice in the service of his community will never be forgotten. 💙🕊

06/07/2026

💙Never Forgotten 💙

On June 7, 1968, Deputy Kenneth Royal responded to back up a fellow officer who had initiated a felony vehicle stop with two subjects. The suspects were believed to be responsible for an armed robbery of a south area tavern that had been broadcast minutes earlier.

Deputies had made several demands for the suspects to exit the vehicle, when the driver suddenly jumped from the car and fled on foot across a nearby field. Deputy Royal arrived at the scene and while his fellow deputy covered him, he approached the suspect still inside the vehicle. The suspect opened the car door and began to exit. While exiting, the suspect suddenly drew a gun from his waistband and fired, striking Deputy Royal. Both deputies returned fire as the suspect attempted to flee, striking the suspect and causing him to collapse in the field.

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

Deputy Royal was 36 years old. The Kenneth B. Royal Firing Range is named in memory of Deputy Royal. Deputy Royal’s sacrifice in the service of his community will never be forgotten.

06/03/2026

💙Never Forgotten 💙
On June 1, 1955, Sheriff's Deputy William Littlejohn and Deputy Stanley Kirkman were enroute to an emergency hospital downtown with a man who had slashed his wrists in a su***de attempt. Their patrol unit's red lights and siren were engaged when a drunk driver pulled into the path of the emergency vehicle and collided with their squad car.

Deputy Littlejohn sustained critical injuries and was transported to the hospital. Also injured in the crash were Deputy Kirkman, and the suspect driver, his wife, and their two passengers. All were treated for minor injuries and released. The attempted su***de victim was treated for minor cuts and sent home.

Two days after the accident, on June 3, 1955, Deputy Littlejohn succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

Deputy Littlejohn had joined the Sheriff's Department in November of 1952 as a resident deputy in Citrus Heights. Deputy Littlejohn was 43 years old. Deputy Littlejohn’s sacrifice in the service of his community will never be forgotten.

Address

Sacramento, CA

Telephone

+19164467661

Website

http://www.sacmemorial.org/

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