OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL WEBSITE - OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

	Reserve Deputy Deborah Jean Hobbs Lake County Sheriff's Office, Montana End of Watch: Thursday, January 16, 2003 Read Officers Story Leave Condolences

	Trooper Michael Todd Blanton Virginia State Police, VA End of Watch: Jan. 29, 2003 Trooper Blanton, 29, was killed after stopping a driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol on the Gaskins Road exit ramp from I-64. Trooper Blanton was reaching inside the suspect's car as the driver sped off, dragging him for several hundred yards before crashing. The car rolled over, pinning Trooper Blanton underneath. Trooper Blanton was transported to MCV Hospital where he later died. The suspect was apprehended a short time later by Henrico County Police officers, who found him running on a nearby road. The suspect was charged with capital murder, felony hit-and-run, and other charges. On September 27, 2003, the suspect was convicted of second degree murder and eluding a police officer, but was acquitted of abduction. He was sentenced to 56 years in prison. Trooper Blanton had been with his agency for five years. He had also served with the Henrico County Sheriff's Department for two years, and was a United States Air Force Security Policeman for four years. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and is survived by his wife and 6 year-old son.

	Trooper Brian A. Patterson Pennsylvania State Police, PA End of Watch: Feb. 14, 2003 Trooper Patterson, 36, was killed when he came in contact with a high voltage power line which had been dislodged in a motor vehicle crash. Trooper Patterson had responded to a motor vehicle accident on Valley Road in French Creek Township, Venango County. A motor vehicle had struck a utility pole and the collision left a power line hanging close to the ground. As Trooper Patterson approached the damaged vehicle, he came in contact with the power line that was blowing in the wind. Another Trooper was able to pull Trooper Patterson out from under the wire and verified that he still had a pulse. Medical personnel attended to and transported Trooper Patterson to UPMC Northwest Hospital. Trooper Patterson's heart stopped while en route to the medical center and ambulance personnel were performing CPR on Trooper Patterson when they arrived at the hospital. Trooper Patterson died at approximately 0200 hours. Trooper Patterson had been with his agency for nine years and is survived by his wife, 10-year-old daughter, and his 9-year-old son.

	Trooper Michael Newton Missouri State Highway Patrol, MO End of Watch: May 22, 2003 Trooper Newton, 25, was killed when his patrol car, a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria, was struck from behind while he was making a traffic stop on the shoulder of I-70 near Odessa, Missouri at 0700 hours. The patrol car burst into flames upon impact and Trooper Newton was trapped inside. The driver of the vehicle he had stopped and the driver of the truck that struck his patrol car were both injured in the accident. Trooper Newton was assigned to Troop A in Lee's Summit and had been with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for over two years. He is survived by his wife and two young sons.

	Senior Constable Philip R. Shrive Ontario Provincial Police, ON End of Watch: May 23, 2003 Ontario Provincial Police Senior Constable Phil Shrive, 49, died in hospital as a result of injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle collision that occurred on May 16, 2003 near Renfrew. Senior Constable Shrive was on duty at the time of the collision. Senior Constable Shrive began his policing career with the OPP in Sept. 1974. His most recent postings included West Carleton Detachment and upon its closing, he transferred to Renfrew Detachment in 1999. Senior Constable Shrive was a dedicated officer who was well liked and respected by his peers and members of the community. He was also a Branch President of the Ontario Provincial Police Association working diligently on behalf of his fellow officers. Senior Constable Shrive is survived by his wife and 4 children.

	Trooper Anthony G. Cogdill North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC End of Watch: May 30, 2003 Trooper Cogdill, 32, was killed when his patrol car was struck by a tractor trailer on I-40, near NC 209, in Haywood County. Trooper Cogdill was conducting a traffic stop at 1500 hours when the semi struck the patrol car from behind, pushing it 100 yards. The driver of the car that he had stopped was also injured. Witnesses reported that the tractor trailer had been driven recklessly and had been swerving in and out of traffic immediately before the collision. The incident occurred at the same location on I-40, and under similar circumstances, where Trooper Calvin Taylor was killed 19 months earlier. The driver of the truck was found to have been under the influence of narcotics at the time of the incident. Additionally, his truck was determined to have defective brakes. He was charged with murder in connection with Trooper Cogdill's death. Trooper Cogdill had been with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for six years and was assigned to Troop G, District 5, in Haywood County. He had previously served with the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office for three years. He is survived by his wife, 3-year-old son, and his parents.

	Sergeant Michael Johnson Vermont State Police, VT End of Watch: June 15, 2003 Sergeant Johnson, 39, was struck and killed by a vehicle after he put spike strips down on the highway to stop the vehicle being pursued by other officers. Troopers from the Vermont State Police were chasing a suspect who fled from a traffic stop on I-91 in Thetford. Sergeant Johnson was located about five miles south of the initial traffic stop. After laying down the spike strips in the roadway, Sergeant Johnson parked his patrol car in the nearby crossover between the north and southbound lanes of I-91. As the suspect approached the spike strips, the suspect swerved into the median and through the crossover, striking Sergeant Johnson. The suspect's black colored Nissan stopped in the northbound lane of I-91 and he fled the scene on foot. He was apprehended in Pennsylvania two days later. The suspect was charged with second degree murder in connection with Sergeant Johnson's death. Sergeant Johnson was transported to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire where he later died from his injuries. Sergeant Johnson had served with the Vermont State Police for 16 years and was assigned to Troop B in Bradford. He is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.

	Trooper Kevin M. Marshall Michigan State Police, MI End of Watch: July 7, 2003 Trooper Marshall, 33, was shot and killed during an ERT operation at a barricade situation in Fremont involving a militia member. The standoff began the previous day when officers attempted to serve a solicitation of prostitution warrant on a male. The suspect indicated he had a gun and held officers at bay. The Michigan State Police Emergency Response Unit was called to assist at the scene and attempted an entry after deploying tear gas inside the home. As the team entered, the suspect opened fire, grazing one officer and striking Trooper Marshall in the side, in between the panels of his vest. Although the house was surrounded by dozens of law enforcement officers, the suspect was able to escape undetected after the shooting. A cache of weapons and survival gear was found in the rubble of his house, which caught fire and burned during the raid. The suspect was shot and killed on week later after police received information on his whereabouts. The Michigan State Police Emergency Response Team arrived at the scene and located the suspect in a car. They ordered the man to stay inside the car but he exited with a semi-automatic rifle. He was shot and killed when he pointed the rifle at the officers. Trooper Marshall had been with the Michigan State Police for 8 years and was assigned to the Newaygo Post. He is survived by wife and two children.

	Police Officer, Kelli L. Lambert Wellston Police Department, Ohio End of Watch: July 21, 2003 Read Officers Story Leave Condolences

	Shannon Distel California Highway Patrol End of Watch: Aug. 27, 2003 Officer Distel, 31, was killed in a motorcycle accident while on patrol. A pickup truck pulling a trailer turned left in front him, causing a collision. Officer Distel's motorcycle became wedged in between the truck and trailer and he was thrown 50 yards. The driver of the pickup truck was arrested and charged with gross negligence and driving under the influence of drugs.

	Senior Constable John Paul Flagg Ontario Provincial Police End of Watch: Sept. 20, 2003 OPP officers were involved with a fleeing suspect vehicle on March Road, near Golden Line Road in Mississippi Mills Township. A collision occurred involving a stolen jeep, a pick-up truck and an OPP Motorcycle Unit. As a result of this collision, 54-year-old Senior Constable John Paul Flagg succumbed to his injuries in Almonte Hospital. Senior Constable Flagg began his career in July 1968 as a cadet. More recently he was posted to the Kingston Detachment and for the past few years he has worked with the Eastern Region R.I.D.E Unit, stationed out of Quinte. "John was an extremely dedicated police officer with a passion for traffic safety," said OPP Commissioner Gwen Boniface. "He was very personable and always the gentleman. Once again, we grieve the loss of another fellow officer."

	Deputy Sheriff Kevin Sherwood Clare County Sheriff's Dept, Michigan End of Watch: October 9, 2003 Read Officers Story Leave Condolences

	Robert Coulter California Highway Patrol End of Watch: Nov. 2, 2003 Officer Coulter, 39, was accidentally shot and killed while placing his department issued shotgun in it's electronic lock in his patrol car. The shotgun is normally positioned in a vertical position between the two front seats. It is believed the trigger was depressed when Officer Coulter positioned the shotgun in it's lock. Officer Coulter served with the California Highway Patrol for 14 years and had previously served as a military policeman for 5 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

	Dean Beattie California Highway Patrol End of Watch: Nov. 19, 2003 Officer Beattie, 46, was killed while attempting to make a traffic stop of a truck. Officer Beattie had been following the slow-moving truck in the right lane. Officer Beattie had served with the California Highway Patrol for 24 years.

	Sergeant Jeffry T. Edelson New York State Police End of Watch: Nov. 23, 2003 Sergeant Edelson, 34, was killed in an automobile accident. While en route to a criminal mischief complaint he attempted to catch up with the possible violator, his passenger side wheels left the roadway and struck the gravel shoulder. His patrol car went out of control, crossed the roadway, and struck a tree.

	Trooper Tony M. Lumley Georgia State Patrol End of Watch: Dec. 2, 2003 Trooper Lumley, 36, died as a result of injuries sustained when his patrol car collided with a vehicle being pursued by other agencies. Trooper Lumley served with the Georgia State Patrol for 2.5 years and was survived by his wife and two daughters.

	Patrolman Bryan Scott Verkler Mishawaka Police Department, Indiana End of Watch: December 13, 2003 Read Officers Story Leave Condolences

	Trooper Scott A. Patrick Indiana State Police End of Watch: Dec. 22, 2003 Trooper Patrick, 27, was shot and killed when he stopped to assist what he thought was a stranded motorist. The vehicle had been stolen the previous week. When Trooper Patrick arrived, he saw the vehicle parked on the side of the road with two flat tires, and he observed a man walking away from the vehicle. When Trooper Patrick approached the suspect, the suspect drew a handgun and opened fire. Trooper Patrick was killed when he was struck in the upper body, in a place his bullet resistant vest did not cover. Trooper Patrick had served with the Indiana State Police for 3 years, and was survived by his expectant wife.

	Trooper Nikky J. Green Oklahoma Highway Patrol End of Watch: Dec. 26, 2003 Trooper Green, 35, was shot and killed after he stopped to check on a vehicle parked on the side of the road which had it's trunk and hood open. During the stop, Trooper Green discovered a suspect had been cooking Methamphetamine. When he attempted to arrest the suspect, a struggle ensued and the suspect was able to gain control of Trooper Green's weapon. The suspect shot and killed Trooper Green before fleeing the scene. Trooper Green had served with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for six years, and is survived by his wife and four children.

	Officer Paul Pino California Highway Patrol End of Watch: Dec. 30, 2003 Officer Pino, 49, was killed when his patrol car was struck from behind while he made a traffic stop. The impact of the crash pushed Officer Pino's patrol car underneath the flatbed truck he had stopped. The driver of vehicle that struck his car was booked for investigation of manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol. The driver allegedly told officers she was driving while drowsy and could have been traveling at about 90 miles an hour. Officer Pino had served with the California Highway Patrol for 23 years and is survived by his wife and four daughters.