On January 28, 1972, Sgt. Paul Stevens, a veteran police officer with the City of Ripon Police Department, contacted a suspect with an outstanding warrant for his arrest. During the course of the arrest, the suspect was found to be in possession of marijuana.

Sgt. Stevens and a fellow officer tried to take the suspect into custody. The suspect resisted arrest and a physical altercation ensued.

Sgt. Stevens fell to the ground at the scene of the arrest and he died. Sgt. Stevens’ partner, the Ripon Fire Department, and a local doctor tried to revive him. Sgt. Stevens was pronounced dead on scene. Sgt. Stevens suffered a fatal heart-attack as a direct result of the suspect’s resistance.

Sgt. Stevens is survived by his son, James Stevens, a retired deputy.