Memorial for Fallen Police Officers
Mayor Chuck Reed, Chief of Police Robert Davis, SJPOA President Robert Lopez, Police Chaplain Dave Bridgen and the City of San Jose paid tribute to the eleven San Jose Police Officers who have died in the line of duty since 1924.  The memorial ceremony took place on Wednesday, May 14 in the rotunda of the San Jose City Hall.
Approximately 18,200 United States law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty since the first recorded police death in 1792.
On April 10, 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as "National Police Week".  The observation is in recognition of the thousands of law enforcement officials who have lost their lives in the line of duty while protecting the peace and safety of American citizens. 
Names of the slain San Jose
police officers.
The San Jose Police Department
Roll Call of Honor
* SERGEANT MORRIS VAN DYCK HUBBARD  #21
Killed July 12, 1924 by a hostage-taking gunman in a close range shoot-out
* OFFICER JOHN BUCK  #10
Died April 5, 1933 from gunshot wounds suffered five weeks earlier while attempting to apprehend armed robbery suspects in a car.
* OFFICER JOHN J. COVALESK  #70
Killed November 15, 1950 shot by an armed burglar who Covalesk had detected in the process of a business burglary.
* OFFICER RICHARD E. HUERTA  #47
Killed August 6, 1970 by gunshots from a pedestrian intent to randomly assassinate any officer he encountered that evening.
* OFFICER ROBERT A. WHITE  #2325
Killed January 27, 1985 by electrocution while investigating an accident in which a motorist struck a high-voltage transformer.
* OFFICER HENRY BUNCH  #2076
Killed July 29, 1985 by an intoxicated arrestee who wrestled the officer's weapon away and shot him.
* OFFICER ROBERT WIRHT  #1596
Killed September 8, 1988 while on a police motorcycle pursuing a speeding motorist, and then being struck by another errant motorist in traffic.
* OFFICER GENE R. SIMPSON  #1409
Killed January 20, 1989 by a mentally ill pedestrian who wrestled and obtained the officer's handgun and shot him.
* OFFICER GORDON A. SILVA  #1512
Killed January 20, 1989 by gunfire in the same firefight with the mentally ill pedestrian who had just mortally assaulted Officer Simpson.                           
* OFFICER DESMOND J. CASEY  #2705
Killed October 25, 1999 in an aircraft collision while piloting the Department's police helicopter, preparing for the coming shift of patrol duty.             
* OFFICER JEFFREY M. FONTANA  #3702
Killed October 28, 2001 by gunshot from suspicious motorists on whom he had just initiated a vehicle stop for follow-up criminal investigation.