Joshua Byrd

At approximately 12:50pm on Thursday, July 17, 2025, Parole Agent Joshua Byrd of the Oakland Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) was shot inside a parole office at the corner of Edgewater Drive and Pardee Lane in East Oakland. He was immediately transported to a Highland Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. A suspect has been detained by the Oakland Police Department. The recently released parolee entered the state parole office in Oakland, where Byrd was on duty, and started shooting, striking Byrd before fleeing. 

“Our hearts are heavy as we remember Parole Agent Joshua Byrd, whose bravery and dedication led to his tragic death in the line of duty. We extend our deepest condolences to the law enforcement community, as well as to Agent Byrd’s family and friends,” said CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber. “Those who violate the law will ultimately face consequences. We are grateful to the law enforcement agencies, for their role in apprehending a suspect.”

Agent Byrd, age 40, joined CDCR as a cadet at CDCR’s correctional officer academy in June 2014. After serving as a Correctional Officer (promoted to Correctional Sergeant in 2020) at the California Medical Facility, he joined DAPO’s Oakland office as a Parole Agent in October 2024.

Agent Byrd is survived by his wife and three children.

 

Shiou L. Deng

At approximately 1:58 a.m. on Monday, June 23, 2025, Sergeant Shiou L. Deng of the Los Angeles Police Department was traveling south on the 405 in his marked patrol vehicle when he witnessed a collision. After activating his emergency lights, he exited his patrol vehicle to assist the victims in the crash when he was struck from the rear by oncoming traffic hit by another driver.

Sergeant Deng was transported to UCLA Medical Center, however, despite all life-saving efforts, he did not survive. An unidentified victim from another vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. A third person involved in the incident was also transported to a local hospital in unknown condition.

Sergeant Shiou Deng served the LAPD with honor, courage, and compassion for more than 26 years. He was a deeply respected leader within the Department who dedicated 17 years to the Mental Evaluation Unit. “He was out there every day caring for the most vulnerable in our society,” said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.

Additional details will be provided as available.

Samuel Riveros

At approximately 7:12 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, Baldwin Park Police Officers Samuel Riveros and Anthony Pimental responded to a call of a male suspect firing a rifle in the street and an unresponsive person lying on the ground in a neighborhood near the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue.

Upon their arrival on scene, they found one man down with a gunshot wound before they were met with gunfire from the suspect. The officers returned fire, according to LASD. “These officers, they didn’t hesitate,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. “They get a dispatch, somebody may need help, there’s shots fired, they go right over there without hesitation. That’s what these men and women do every day.”

Both Officer Riveros and Officer Pimental were struck in the exchange of gunfire. Additional responding Officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was taken into custody and to a local hospital in stable condition. The suspect has not yet been publicly identified. The man found unresponsive was pronounced deceased at the hospital. Officer Pimental, transported by ambulance, is reported in stable condition and has since been released from the hospital. Officer Riveros was airlifted to USC Medical Center. Tragically, his injuries were not survivable.

Officer Samuel Riveros, age 35, began his service with the Baldwin Park Police Department as a Public Safety Trainee on April 3, 2016, and was sworn in as a Police Officer on September 11, 2016. His commitment to excellence led to his selection for the SWAT Team on July 1, 2019, where he served with honor for over five years. Most recently, he was appointed as a Field Training Officer on July 21, 2024, a testament to his leadership and mentorship.

A proud UC Irvine graduate, Officer Samuel Riveros was known not only for his tactical skills and professionalism, but for his love of snowboarding and his unwavering loyalty to the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

 

Osmar Rodarte

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 26, 2025, multiple law enforcement agencies executed a series of over 20 search warrants across Yuba, Sutter, Tehama, and Butte counties as part of a years-long transnational drug trafficking investigation by the Yuba-Sutter Narcotics and Gang Task Force Unit.

As part of this operation, officers from several area agencies were executing a search warrant at a home on Kestral Court in Olivehurst. Upon entry, at approximately 7:50am, the subject opened fire and Marysville Police Department SWAT member Officer Osmar Rodarte was shot during the exchange. Officer Rodarte was transported to Adventist Health and Rideout Hospital in Marysville, where, tragically, he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect was also struck during the exchange of gunfire and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Officer Rodarte, age 27, was a two-year veteran of the Marysville Police Department. “This is a sad day in the City of Marysville,” said Police Chief Christian Sachs, adding Rodarte was a U.S. Army veteran, a brother, a father, and “a close friend.”

This is Marysville Police Department’s first Line-of-Duty loss in more than 100 years.

Chad E. Swanson

On October 4, 2023, Officer Chad Swanson of the Manhattan Beach Police Department was killed in a motorcycle crash on the 405 Highway at Del Amo Avenue.

At approximately 5:15am, a vehicle struck his department motorcycle after another vehicle made an unsafe lane change. The impact threw Officer Swanson off his motorcycle. He was transported to Harbor Medical Center where, despite all life-saving measures, he died from his injuries.

Officer Swanson earned a Medal of Valor for saving the life of a burglary suspect in 2015. In 2017, despite being wounded at the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival, Officer Swanson repeatedly ran into the crowd, bringing people to safety.

Officer Swanson had served with the Manhattan Beach Police Department for 13 years and previously served with the Hawthorne Police Department. He is survived by his wife, three sons, and parents.

Timothy Corlew

At approximately 5:30am on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, Riverside County Deputy Sheriff Timothy Corlew had just cleared a traffic stop on CA 91. While traveling westbound in the HOV lane east of La Sierra Avenue, Deputy Corlew’s patrol motorcycle collided with a vehicle, ejecting him from his motorcycle. Riverside Fire Department paramedics reached the location within minutes and attempted life-saving measures, after which Deputy Corlew was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where, tragically, he was pronounced deceased.

Deputy Timothy Corlew, age 40, was a 9-year veteran of the Riverside Co. Sheriff’s Office, most recently assigned to the Jurupa Valley Station. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Donations to the Corlew family can be made as follows:

https://helpahero.com/campaign/motor-deputy-timothy-corlew

Checks should be mailed to the Riverside County Sheriff Relief Foundation or RCDSRF, 21810 Cactus Avenue, Riverside CA 92518…memo line: Deputy Corlew

 

Austin Machitar

Shortly after 11:30pm on Monday, August 26, 2024, officers from the San Diego Police Department witnessed a vehicle traveling at an excessively high rate of speed on surface streets and initiated a traffic stop. The driver did not yield, and a short pursuit ensued. Due to the high rate of speed by the fleeing suspect vehicle, a supervisor terminated the pursuit.

SDPD Officer Austin Machitar and his partner, Officer Zachary Martinez were responding to the area to assist if needed when the fleeing vehicle struck their patrol unit as they were passing through the intersection of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and Doliva Drive.

Officer Austin Machitar died at the scene. Officer Zachary Martinez was last listed in critical but stable condition.

Officer Machitar was a 5 ½ -year veteran of the San Diego Police Department and a native son of the area, having grown up in Chula Vista. Last month he celebrated his 30th birthday. He is survived by his parents and sister.

PORAC has established a memorial fund for Officers Machitar and Martinez: porac.org/fundraiser/sandiegopd_officers/

Additional details and funeral information will be provided as available.

Matthew Bowen

At approximately 10:31am on Thursday, July 11, 2024, Vacaville Police Officer Matthew Bowen was conducting a traffic stop near the intersection of Leisure Town Road and Orange Drive when he was struck from behind by another vehicle. Officer Bowen began receiving medical aid on scene and was transported to a local hospital where, despite all lifesaving efforts, he tragically succumbed to his injuries.

The driver of the vehicle that struck Officer Bowen attempted to flee the scene on foot, however, she was detained by bystanders who witnessed the crash. CHP investigators contacted the driver, 24-year-old Serena C.J. Rodriguez of Auburn, and determined she was driving her vehicle while under the influence of drugs. Rodriguez was taken into custody and subsequently booked into Solano County Jail on charges of homicide and driving under the influence causing injury and/or death.

Officer Bowen had been with the Vacaville Police Department since June 13, 2023, after serving with the Concord Police Department.

“He has served with the highest dedication and honor, and his loss is deeply felt by the Department, the City, and the community,” the Police Department said in a statement.

Officer Matthew Bowen is survived by his wife, two sons, his parents, and brother.

Additional details and funeral information will be provided as available.

 

Donald A. Mason

A couple hundred people turned out to pay their respects to Detective Donald Archibald Mason at his funeral more than six decades ago, overflowing the chapel. The people officiating shared with the crowd that Detective Mason was a good father to his two daughters, a good husband, neighbor, friend, citizen. He was a good public servant. After the memorial, those attending watched as Donald’s gold-colored casket was wheeled out to the waiting hearse. Motorcycle officers escorted the procession to the cemetery as a line of police units moved peacefully onto the street.

Donald began his career with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on August 27, 1949, after serving in the United States Army. He received “marks of high efficiency” from his superiors at the sheriff’s department. Donald’s personnel file included numerous letters of appreciation – from court personnel, federal law enforcement members, and citizens in the community he served. He possessed a desire to promote, worked hard, and experienced a fast rise from patrolman to detective. As a member of the Sheriff’s Underwater Squad, he was also involved in many rescue activities.

On December 23, 1959, Detective Donald Mason was involved in a physical altercation in a San Bernardino County courtroom. When a judge ruled that the suspect was mentally ill, the suspect kicked Donald in the groin and chest. After the incident, Donald was driving his patrol unit by himself when he pulled over on a Highland roadway and requested medical aid over the radio. On the call, he complained of chest pains. When Undersheriff Walter Pitts arrived, he discovered Donald slumped in the car. An ambulance transported Donald to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy showed that he suffered a fatal heart attack – three hours after the courtroom scuffle. Detective Mason was 36 years old.

Detective Donald A. Mason served the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for 10 years. He was survived by his wife, Grace, and two daughters, Jacqueline, and Kathleen. Please always remember Detective Mason and honor him for his service, his dedication, and making the ultimate sacrifice.

Anthony Ray White

Sergeant Anthony White was a “fighter, and he wasn’t one to quit.” Those were the words of his wife, Tawnya, in a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Training Division video after he lost his life as a result of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. Because of Anthony’s strength and determination, Tawnya, their two school-aged children, and the rest of their family were “hopeful he would get through this.” Anthony battled his illness for more than 100 days in a few different hospitals. Tawnya says her husband “fought every day and he wanted to come home.” Unfortunately, his lungs were badly damaged, and he got rapidly worse. After he had a tracheostomy (an incision in the windpipe made to relieve obstructed breathing), he could no longer speak. His family would never hear his voice again.

In reporter Sheri Fink’s New York Times article entitled, The Rationing of a Last-Resort Covid Treatment, dated July 12, 2021, Tawnya shares that Anthony wrote on a white board that he was hoping to “get well for retirement.” In the end, his wife says, “COVID was attacking his entire body and he never recovered… His body started to shut down and it was very, very traumatic.” Sadly, at the age of 54, Sergeant Anthony White passed away. In honor of Sergeant White, Capitol flags in Sacramento were flown at half-staff. The Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL), the union that represents LAPD officers, paid tribute to Anthony in a Twitter post saying, “He protected our city for over 30 years. Our prayers are with Sgt. White’s family, friends and co-workers during their time of sadness.”

Sergeant White started working for the LAPD in 1990 and served the department for 31 years. His most recent assignment was at the Transit Services Division. Prior to that, he worked at the Hollenbeck, Southwest, Internal Affairs and Transit Services divisions. Sergeant White, his wife, and their two children lived in the Inland Empire city of Eastvale, about 50 miles from Los Angeles.

In Fink’s New York Times article, she details recollections Anthony’s two kids shared about their dad. Sergeant White’s son, 11 at the time, recalled his father teaching him how to play chess. Anthony’s 15-year-old daughter emotionally spoke about going out for fast food with her dad after soccer practice. They also reminisced about how their parents would sing as they cooked together, right near a sign that read, “This kitchen is for dancing.”

Due to the restrictions back then on visiting COVID patients in the hospital, Tawnya was initially not allowed to visit her husband. She would “go to bed thinking about him” and “wake up thinking about him.” Fortunately, the no-visitor policy was eventually lifted, and Anthony was able to take his wife’s hand in his. He mouthed, “How do I get stronger?”

Sergeant White’s milestones were followed by setbacks, and he ultimately succumbed to his illness on April 15, 2021. He left behind his loving wife, two children, parents, and two sisters. Sergeant Anthony White will be remembered as “a beautiful person with a beautiful heart” who left us too soon. May we all find inspiration in the courage he exemplified in the toughest of times.