1997

February 05, 1997 Police Officer II Van Derick Johnson Los Angeles Police Department, CA Officer Johnson was killed when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle while he was on routine patrol. Officer Johnson is survived by his wife.

February 14, 1997 Corporal Richard David Barreda Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Police Department, TX Corporal Barreda was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle while on patrol and slid under an illegally parked shuttle van which began pulling into traffic. Corporal Barreda layed down his motorcycle in an attempt to avoid a collision and slid underneath the van. He was flown to a nearby hospital where he was succumbed to his injuries approximately one hour later. The driver of the shuttle bus was criminally charged and found guilty. He was the first officer with his department to be killed in the line of duty. Corporal Barreda is survived by his wife and six-year-old daughter. The agency's new indoor range was named in honor of Corporal Barreda's service to the airport community.

June 01, 1997 Deputy Sheriff Franklin Jay Minnie Sr. Washoe County Sheriff's Office, NV Deputy Minnie was killed in an accident as he was pursuing a trespassing suspect. As Deputy Minnie was passing a tractor trailer, a piece of debris struck his motorcycle, causing him to lose control when he struck the median.

December 11, 1997 Police Officer Leddie James Brown Philadelphia Police Department, PA Officer Brown was died after being struck by an automobile while on routine patrol on his police motorcycle. He was transported to a local hospital and was expected to recover from his injuries, however, medical problems developed resulting in his death 15 days later. He had been with the agency for seven years and is survived by his mother and fiancée.