Honoring OUR FALLEN OFFICERS

“GONE, BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN”

The Fresno Police Department honors sixteen Police Officers who have died in the line of duty.

The FPOA supports the Fresno County Peace Officers Memorial Foundation, Inc., who honors fallen peace officers who have died in the line of duty while serving in Fresno County during National Police Week. This annual ceremony is held at the Fresno County Peace Officers Memorial in Fresno County Courthouse Park.

February 17, 2021

R. Paul Brown, II

Paul was a 28-year veteran of the Fresno Police Department. He held the rank of sergeant for 19 years. Paul was a fixture in the FPD and devoted his life to this community.

Paul was hired in December of 1993 and spent most of his career in Patrol as a sergeant over several areas within our organization. Twice in his career Paul was assigned to the Training Unit and truly loved to educate and develop those around him. In addition to Paul’s assignment’s he was assigned to collateral duties of SWAT and Mounted Patrol.

December 28, 2020

Angel DeLa Fuente

Officer Dela Fuente began his career with the Fresno Police Department on March 15, 1999, as a special guard before achieving the rank of Police Officer Recruit on November 4, 2001, and Police Officer on May 11, 2002. During his 22-year career, Angel was a member of the District Crime Suppression Team member, MAGEC (Multi Agency Gang Consortium) Tactical Team and Investigative Teams. Before serving his community, Angel served his country and was enlisted in the United States Army.

June 21, 1994

William Edward Lehn

Officer Lehn was born December 8, 1955, in Hanford, CA. He entered law enforcement on July 24, 1980 and served with the Kings County Sheriff’s Department for five years. He joined the Fresno Police Department on May 1, 1986, and served there for eight years. Officer Lehn joined the Fresno Police Department’s motorcycle unit on September 30, 1991. He died in a motorcycle accident while attempting to make a routine traffic stop on June 21, 1994. He was 39 years old at the time of his death.

July 4, 1981

John R. Hissong

On July 4, 1981, at 4:00 in the morning, Officer John Hissong chased and captured a suspect for investigation of vandalism and intoxication at the Ramada Inn on East Shaw Avenue. When other officers arrived, they found Officer Hissong unconscious and lying on top of the suspect near the motel swimming pool. Officer Hissong was pronounced dead from a massive heart attack two hours later at VMC. He was 29 years old at the time of his death.

December 8, 1979

Lanny “Skip” Stevenson

Off-duty Officer Stevenson was shot and killed after he broke up an argument between another off-duty officer and a man. The suspect returned with a gun and killed Officer Stevenson. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. Lanny was 25 years old at the time of his death. Officer Stevenson’s death was determined off-duty performance in the line of duty.

February 6, 1977

Jack Sims

Officer Jack D. Sims passed away while on duty February 6, 1977. Jack went on duty as usual the morning of February 6, 1977 but later he was found in his patrol car, dead of natural causes. (Possible heart attack).

August 20, 1973

Salvador G. Mosqueda

Sgt. Sal Mosqueda was scanning the neighborhood near a Safeway store that had just been robbed on August 20, 1973 at 2:00 pm when he was shot in his police vehicle by armed robbery suspect, Charles Sexton. Sexton, who then barricaded himself in his home on East Lewis Avenue, died when tear gas propelled into the home caused the house to catch fire. It wasn’t until the incident was over that Sgt. Mosqueda was found in his car with gunshot wounds to his head and throat. He was 52 years old at the time of his death.

September 27, 1972

Homer Lee Holland

Homer Lee Holland joined the Fresno Police Department on October 1, 1955. He started his career on foot patrol, then went to a patrol car, and then to the motorcycle patrol unit. He eventually became a day dispatcher and held that position for approximately ten years until his death. On September 27, 1972, he was at work when he became ill and died from a massive heart attack while on duty. He was survived by his wife, Helen, two daughters, Sandra and Karen, two brothers, Larry and Harrold, five sisters, Louise, Lou Ann, Nadine, Patsy, and Alice.

October 7, 1946

Elmer M. Forsman

Motorcycle Officer Elmer Forsman died from injuries received on October 6, 1946, in a collision between his motorcycle and a passenger car. The accident occurred at the corner of Blackstone and Thomas Streets while Officer Forsman was engaged in traffic enforcement duties.

January 22, 1931

John O. Brame

Sergeant Brame was shot and killed by the same suspect who had shot and killed Detective Frank Campbell one week earlier. Officers received information that the man had returned to his home. When the officers went there to arrest him, Sergeant Brame was shot and killed. The suspect was shot and killed by other officers.

January 15, 1931

Frank G. Campbell

Early on the morning of January 15, 1931, Detective Frank Campbell was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest on a check warrant for the City of San Jose. His killer, Leo Soldo, fled, but was cornered a week later in a boarding house at 921 “B” Street by members of the Fresno Police Department.

July 31, 1922

James M. Hardenbrook

Sgt. Jim Hardenbrook was killed on July 22, 1922, while attempting to capture three escapees from the Preston School of Industry who were also wanted for armed robbery. Sgt. Hardenbrook cornered the trio in the 200 block of Broadway, and in the ensuing gun battle was shot through the forehead and chest, and died a short time later. His assailants, who escaped, were captured one at a time during the following two weeks and were later brought to trial and sentenced to life imprisonment. The shooter was paroled in 1932.

April 16, 1916

Charles L. Rouse

On April 16, 1916, Patrolman C. L. Rouse, who had been on the department for two years, became the second Fresno Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty when he was shot in the back and killed at the corner of Tulare and “F” Streets while attempting to get help for a man who had been stabbed. His assailant, Albert Pena, was shot and killed in a gun battle with police in San Luis Obispo nine days later.

May 15, 1911

Clay V. Helms

Patrolman Helms succumbed to injuries received four months earlier in a train derailment. He was escorting a mental patient to the Stockton State Hospital when the train they were riding in collided with a three-car work train and derailed.

October 10, 1907

Lucius C. Smith

Night watchman and former Fresno Police Officer Lucius Smith (60 years old) was gunned down in the alley by the Barton Opera House by a suspected burglar. The Opera House was located on Fresno Street at J & K streets. Smith had worked for nine years as a night watchman, patrolling the “business blocks” of the city. When Smith was shot, several people in the immediate area heard the gunshots and went out to investigate. As they did, they saw a shadowy figure running out of the alley toward Merced Street and disappear into the night. Smith was then discovered on the ground, dead from several gunshot wounds to his chest.

February 21, 1907

Harry S. Van Meter

On February 21, 1907, Officer Harry Van Meter was shot while attempting to capture a burglar near Inyo and Broadway at the old “Boss Dye Works.” Officer Van Meter died the following day, and became the first Fresno Police Officer to be placed on the Honor Roll of officers killed in the line of duty. Before he died, Officer Van Meter named his killer, but the man provided witnesses who swore he had been playing cards in a local tavern at the time of the shooting, and the killer of Harry Van Meter was never brought to trial.

Remembering Those Who Have Fallen

The Fresno County Peace Officers Memorial Foundation, Inc

The Fresno County Peace Officers Memorial Foundation, Inc. honors fallen peace officers who have died in the line of duty while serving in Fresno County. The Foundation also oversees the Fresno County Peace Officers Memorial in Fresno County Courthouse Park and conducts the annual ceremony.

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To honor with dignity. To serve with pride.

Stand with the Honor Guard

Since 1988, the Fresno Police Department Honor Guard has stood as a powerful symbol of service, tradition, and respect—offering final salutes at line-of-duty funerals, memorials, civic events, and more. Their presence is precise, dignified, and profoundly meaningful. Your support helps fund the uniforms, travel, training, and ceremonial gear that make these tributes possible. Every dollar ensures the Honor Guard can continue its mission to honor those who serve and sacrifice. Because every ceremony matters—and every hero deserves a final salute.

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