End Of Watch Notices

The Badge of Honor Memorial Foundation, a national group that ensures that the widows and children of fallen police officers receive the benefits due them, publishes "End of Watch" notices when officers fall in the line of duty. Here are three recent notices:

Police Officer Erik Hite
Tucson Police Department
Arizona
End of Watch: Monday, June 2, 2008

Biographical Info
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, June 1, 2008
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Apprehended

Officer Erik Hite succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day by a suspect who was fleeing deputies from the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

The suspect had shot and wounded two deputies who had responded to two homes that the suspect had fired a rifle into. The suspect then fled the home in a vehicle, with one of the wounded deputies in pursuit.

During the pursuit the suspect suddenly made a U-turn and fired at Officer Hite, who was sitting in his patrol car.

The suspect continued to flee but stopped his vehicle a short time later and surrendered.

Officer Hite had served was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Tucson Police Department for 4 years.


Police Officer Everett William Dennis
Carthage Police Department
Texas
End of Watch: Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Biographical Info
Age: 23
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: 118

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Not available

Officer Everett Dennis was killed in an automobile accident while attempting to stop a traffic violator. His patrol car went out of control and overturned, ejecting him from the vehicle.

Officer Dennis had served with the Carthage Police Department for 2 years. He is survived by his mother.


Lieutenant Michael Avilucea
New Mexico State Police
New Mexico
End of Watch: Friday, May 30, 2008

Biographical Info
Age: 51
Tour of Duty: 26 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Date of Incident: Friday, May 30, 2008
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available

Lieutenant Michael Avilucea was killed in an automobile accident in Rio Arriba County while returning from an operation in which he had assisted with recovering explosives.

His patrol car rolled over as he returned to his normal duty station.

Lieutenant Avilucea had served with the New Mexico State Police for over 26 years, and was commander of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team.

Please pray for families of these men, and remember that police officers daily put their lives on the line for your safety.