Wall of Honor

Biographical Info

• Age: 46
• Tour of Duty: 20 yr
• Badge Number: 119

Incident Details       

• Cause of Death: Gunfire
• Date of Incident: October 31, 2016

Details

Deputy Rod Lucas was hired as a Deputy Sheriff in 1996 and promoted to sergeant in September 2008. He was 46 years old and his current assignment was as a detective with the Narcotics Unit.

Deputy Lucas was a graduate of Tranquillity High School.  He attended Reedley College, West Hills College and California State University, Chico.  Some of his accomplishments include:  Winning a gold medal in boxing during the Police Olympic Competition in Fresno, starting the Firebaugh Boy's and Girl's Club and was a 2010 recipient of the Medal of Honor from the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

Deputy Lucas leaves behind his wife, Jami, daughters, Ashley and Gianna, sons Oscar and Elijah and his parents.

The "The Rod Lucas Memorial Scholarship Fund" has been established for those wishing to donate. Persons may send their contributions care of the Fresno Deputy Sheriff's Association, 1360 Van Ness Ave, Fresno CA, 93721.

Biographical Info

• Age: 32
• Tour of Duty: 4 yr
• Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

• Cause of Death: Stabbed
• Date of Incident: March 13, 1907
• Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
• Suspect Info: Never apprehended

Details

Deputy Price was stabbed in the throat after a prisoner overpowered him. Deputy Price had arrested the prisoner for stealing a buggy and a horse and had arrested him near Centerville, California. During the arrest the suspect attempted to shoot Deputy Price but his gun misfired several times and he was taken into custody. Because Deputy Price had no handcuffs he used rope to restrain the suspect.

During the ride back to town the suspect complained that he was hungry so they stopped to eat. When they were finished and began heading back to town Deputy Price did not restrain the suspect again. Deputy Price's body was found with a stab wound in the neck a short time later. The suspect fled the scene and was never apprehended. The suspect was also the prime suspect in the murder of Officer Harry Van Meter, of the Fresno Police Department, three weeks earlier.

Deputy Price had been in law enforcement for four years and had only been with the sheriff's department for two months. He was killed on this 32nd birthday. He was survived by his mother, brother, and sister.

Biographical Info

• Age: Not available
• Tour of Duty: 20 yr
• Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

• Cause of Death: Duty related illness
• Date of Incident: January 22, 1931
• Weapon Used: N/A
• Suspect Info: N/A

Details

Deputy O'Leary died as a result of rheumatism of the heart after becoming ill during the search for the murderer of Detective Frank Campbell and Sergeant John Brame, of the Fresno Police Department. At the time of the murders Deputy O'Leary was on sick leave with a case of the flu but refused to stay home and helped officers with the search for the killer. As a result he became even more ill which led to his death two months later.

Deputy O'Leary had been in law enforcement on and off for almost 20 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.

Biographical Info

• Age: 53
• Tour of Duty: 13 yr
• Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

• Cause of Death: Automobile accident
• Date of Incident: February 7, 1934
• Weapon Used: N/A
• Suspect Info: N/A

Details

Deputy Collins succumbed to injuries received three years earlier when the car he was riding in was struck by a gasoline truck. He and the undersheriff were searching for a witness in an upcoming murder trial when the accident occurred. Deputy Collins suffered severe head and body injuries which lead to his death three years later.

Deputy Collins had been with the agency for 13 years and was survived by his wife and son, both of whom served with the agency as well.