Fallen Officers Remembered As Orange County's Finest

In Orange County, the sun shines on a memorial for the fallen, the breeze still blows and flags whip at half-staff. The half-circle of the Orange County Peace Officer's Memorial is emblazoned with a thin blue line of light that slices the night, reminding all of those who died keeping residents safe, from the 1800s to modern day, their sacrifice is not taken lightly.

"Being a peace officer is an important responsibility. Peace officers and soldiers take this job so that their loved ones can sleep at night in peace," Chief Paul Workman said in 2014. "It isn't hard to consider that someday this might happen to one amongst us."

The Orange County Sheriff's Department remembers nine of their fallen officers on Tuesday.

Undersheriff Robert Squires was killed in the line of duty in Irvine, on Dec. 16, 1912. When a call came that a girl had been attacked by a drifter who fled into the hills, Squires, among many others, searched for the man responsible. In the subsequent shootout, considered the bloodiest battle in Orange County history, Squires was killed.

Deputy Ezra Stanley was patrolling PCH near Sunset Beach when he was struck by another car in a DUI collision. He passed away Nov. 19, 1940.

Deputy Robert Shultz was shot while patrolling in Dana Point, when he came across a mentally disturbed father threatening his wife and children. While questioning the father, one of the sons shot and critically wounded Shultz on April 21, 1958.

Deputy Darryn Robbins suffered a training mishap while on duty in Dec. of 1993. He is remembered as a positive role model for kids, many who called him "Rappin' Robbins."

Deputy Mark Tonkin died in a helicopter crash on Oct. 24, 1988. He was aboard the California National Guard UH1H Huey which crashed in the mountains near El Centro.

Deputy Brad Richies was shot by a man carrying an AK-47 in Lake Forest while on routine patrol near a convenience store, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department. According to then Sheriff Mike Carona, the attack was "sudden and unprovoked" and meant not to rob the 7-Eleven where the incident occurred, but to use the weapon against police. He was the first sheriff since 1958 to be shot while on patrol.

Steven Conners, a Lake Forest student who interviewed Richies for a school assignment, quoted the Deputy as saying, "you just have to be willing to do the job and risk your life every day."

Richies ended his watch on June 12, 1999.

Deputy Steven Parsons was the city of Laguna Hill's first motorcycle patrol officer. He perished in a traffic collision while on patrol in that city. He is remembered for numerous accomplishments, both personal and professional. He passed away on June 24, 2000.

Sgt. Matt R. Davis was on patrol in Mission Viejo suffered a motorcycle crash, ending his watch on Sept. 22, 2002.

Sgt. Ira G. Essoe was shot while on duty by parolees attempting to steal a car on Nov. 6, 1980. Essoe was paralyzed in the shooting, though he continued to work with wounded officers and widows and orphans of peace officers for years after. He died Feb. 4, 2010 from medical problems related to his shooting. The Coroner ruled his death a homicide "Delayed complications from remote gunshot wounds."

ANAHEIM

Anaheim Police Department remembers four fallen officers.

Township Constable Charls F. Lehman was killed by gunfire on July 21, 1872. According to stories, Lehman was shot and killed following his response to a dispute between a city marshal and a civilian during a card game. When a gunfight ensued, Constable Lehman was shot and ended his watch two days later, survived by his wife and daughter.

Helicopter Pilot Gary Anthony Nelson perished in an aircraft incident, assisting detectives with surveillance of a known narcotics dealer. He ended his watch on on Aug. 15, 1975.

Officer Robert Terrell Roulston was killed in a motorcycle crash while working special assignment at a Ram's football game in Anaheim.

K9 Officer Bruno was shot while tracking a suspect who fired at probation officers. Bruno found the suspect inside a trash can, and nosed the lid open. The suspect emerged and opened fire, shooting Bruno in the jaw and chest. The suspect was shot and killed. Bruno lived for two more years, dying of surgical complications from his gunshot wounds on May 18, 2016.

NEWPORT BEACH

In Newport Beach, three officers fell in the line of duty.

Officer John Clifford Marshall passed away due to vehicular assault on Saturday, September 29, 1962.

Officer Robert Joseph Henry was shot to death on Thursday, April 13, 1995.

Sgt. Steven Donald Van Horn passed away from a duty related illness on November 16, 1997.

COSTA MESA

In Costa Mesa, two officers were killed in an aircraft accident on March 10, 1987. Officer John William Libolt and Officer James David Ketchum.

HUNTINGTON BEACH

Huntington Beach police department remembers three officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

Officer Leo Roy Darst died in an automobile crash on October 13, 1928.

Officer Leslie J. Prince died as the result of a vehicular assault on Dec. 1, 1974.

K-9 Officer Kim was stabbed, and died on May 26, 1991.

LAGUNA BEACH

Officer Gordon French was in the process of booking a suspect on charges of forgery on Feb. 13, 1953. The suspect drew a concealed weapon and disarmed officers, however French attempted to prevent his escape, Cota said. The suspect fired one round and struck French in the stomach. French died en route to Hoag Hospital, and the suspect later committed suicide in Dana Point.

Officer Jon Coutchie was a Motor Officer who collided with another vehicle while in pursuit in 2013. Coutchie was born in Tucson, Arizona and raised in Laguna Hills, graduating from Laguna Hills High School in 1989. After joining the military following 9/11, he served from 2003 to 2007 in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was sworn as a Laguna Beach Police Officer in 2009 until the end of his watch on September 21, 2013.

SEAL BEACH

Seal Beach Police Department remembers Officer Edward William Clavell, Jr. who ended his watch Tuesday, Aug 23, 1988. He was killed in an automobile accident while on duty.

SANTA ANA

In Santa Ana, four officers were remembered.

Officer Edwin Rassmus Peter Jensen died during a vehicle pursuit on March 3, 1931.

Officer Nelson K. Sasscer was shot and killed on June 5, 1969.

Officer Daniel Allan Hale was shot and killed on Nov. 12, 1977.

Sgt. John Alfred Aguilar died from a duty related illness on June 30, 1998.

Photos, courtesy Orange County Sheriff's Department, Costa Mesa Police Department, Huntington Beach Police Department, Laguna Beach Police Department, Newport Beach Police Department, Santa Ana Police Department and Seal Beach Police Department.