Airport Law Enforcement - Duty Related Deaths


ALEAN has dedicated this page to the memory of those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives while serving to protect our nation’s airports. If you know of anyone who should be added to the list please send the information to sybil.murphy@alean.com 

Name

Rank/Title

Agency

City

ST

Date of Death/EOW

Location

Description

Richard Mendez Officer Philadelphia Police Department Philadelphia PA 10/12/2023 Philadelphia International Airport

Police Officer Richard Mendez was shot and killed at the Philadelphia International Airport's Garage D at about 11:00 p.m.

Jorge Arias

Officer United States DHS/CBP Miami FL 10/19/2022 Miami International Airport

Officer Jorge Arias accidentally shot and killed during training while assigned to the Miami International Airport.

Bruce Eckhoff Officer United States DHS/CBP Sacramento CA 01/25/2022 Sacramento International Airport Died from exposure to COVID-19
Victor Donate Officer United States DHS/CBP Atlanta GA 10/07/2021 Atlanta Int'l Airport Died from exposure to COVID-19
David Bryant Saavedra Senior Officer United States DHS/CBP Miami FL 09/02/2021 Miami Int'l Airport Died from exposure to COVID-19
Shawn P. Hennessee Senior FAM United States DHS/TSA/FAM Las Vegas NV 08/26/2021 McCarran International Airport Died from exposure to COVID-19

Erik James Skelton

Officer United States DHS/CBP Miami FL 08/24/2021 Miami Int'l Airport Died from exposure to COVID-19
Monica J. Riola Officer United States DHS/CPB Los Angeles CA 08/20/2021 Los Angeles Int'l Airport Died from exposure to COVID-19
Yokemia L. Conyers Officer United States DHS/CPB Miami FL 08/18/2021 Miami Int'l Airport Died from exposure to COVID-19

William Doubraski

Lieutenant Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department New York NY 11/23/2020 Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (health after effects of 9/11)
Sean Rios Sergeant

Houston P.D. Airport Division

Houston TX 11/09/2020 Houston, TX

Sergeant Rios was on the way to work at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport and came across an armed man on the roadway. They exchanged shots and Sergeant Rios was killed.

Kenneth R. Meisel Snr. Federal Air Marshal DHS/TSA/FAM Minneapolis MN 09/04/2020 Minneapolis, Minnesota Field Offices Died from exposure to COVID-19
Bobby Almager Lieutenant Corpus Christi International Airport DPS Corpus Christi TX 7/10/2020 Corpus Christi, TX Died from exposure to COVID-19

Alfonso H. Murrieta

Officer

United States DHS/CPB

Tucson

AZ

7/9/2020

Tucson International Airport Tucson Arizona

 

Chin Kok Yan

Officer

United States DHS/CPB

New York

NY

5/16/2020

JFK International Airport New York

 

Omar E.  Palmer

Officer

United States DHS/CPB

New York

NY

5/4/2020

JFK International Airport New York

 

Thomas M. Inman Detective Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department New York NY

 4/12/2020

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (health after effects of 9/11)

Jackson Ryan Winkeler

Officer

Florence Regional Airport Department of Public Safety

Florence

SC

1/25/2020

Florence Regional Airport

 

Robert Jones

Lieutenant

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department

New York

NY

6/15/2019

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

(health after effects of 9/11)

William J. Leahy

Officer

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department

New York

NY

6/6/2019

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

(health after effects of 9/11

Michael Edmund Teel

Officer

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department

New York

NY

3/21/2019

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

(health after effects of 9/11

Michele T. Paul

Federal Air Marshal

United States DHS/TSA/FAM

Dulles

VA

11/7/2018

In flight to Washington Dulles Int'l Airport

 

John J. Brant

Lieutenant

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department

New York

NY

7/19/2018

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

(health after effects of 9/11

Mark J. Meier

Officer

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department

New York

NY

7/31/2017

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

(health after effects of 9/11)

James W. Kennelly

Officer

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department

New York

NY

6/17/2017

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

(health after effects of 9/11)

Charles Barzydlo

Officer

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department

New York

NY

7/17/2016

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

(health after effects of 9/11)

Lawrence A. Guarnieri Sergeant Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department New York NY 11/4/2014 Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

(health after effects of 9/11)

Vincent Joseph Oliva

Officer

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department

New York

NY

11/27/2013

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

(health after effects of 9/11)

Steven J. Tursellino

Officer

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department

New York

NY

9/13/2013

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

(health after effects of 9/11)

Marcia Figueroa

Officer

Cleveland Police Department

Cleveland

OH

11/4/2012

Cleveland/Hopkins International Airport

(assisting at airport on presidential detail)

Paulo D. Pallas

Officer

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department

New York

NY

3/14/2011

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

(health after effects of 9/11)

KELLEY LYNNE LARA

Sheriff’s Sergeant

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department

Sacramento

 CA

8/6/2009

Sacramento International Airport

Sergeant Lara was on her way to work when she was involved in a fatal automobile accident. The driver who was determined to be at fault was arrested for vehicular manslaughter and hit and run. 

John Mark Cortazzo

Officer

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department

New York

NY

3/14/2009

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

(health after effects of 9/11)

ALFRED L. GORDON  SR.

Police Officer

City of Orlando Police Department

Orlando

 FL

10/4/2007

Orlando International Airport

Officer Gordon was shot and killed  during a robbery attempt.

VINCENT P. CILA

Trooper

Massachusetts State Police

Boston

 MA

7/22/2005

Logan International Airport

Trooper Cila died as the result of a motorcycle crash at Logan International Airport 

TOMMY EDWARD SCOTT

Police Officer

Los Angeles World Airports Police Department

Los Angeles

 CA

4/29/2005

Los Angeles International Airport

Officer Scott confronted a man at the Airport.  After the stop was made  a physical confrontation occurred and the suspect wrestled away from Officer Scott. The suspect jumped into the driver’s seat of the patrol car  sped off at speeds that reached 50 to 60 mph. The suspect then drove the police vehicle onto the sidewalk where Officer Scott was thrown into a fire hydrant and killed instantly.

MICHAEL A. SCARBROUGH

Police Sergeant

Wayne County Airport Authority Police Department

Detroit

 MI

2/9/2005

Wayne County International Airport

Sergeant Scarbrough died as the result of a automobile crash. 

Steven Vance Caddy

Resource Protection Officer

Oregon Military Department-Portland Air Base

Portland

OR

7/16/2003

Portland International Airport

Military/ Law enforcement officers died at joint use military/civilian airports

JOHN R. JUNEAU

Police Chief

Southwest Georgia Regional Airport

Albany

 GA

5/2/2003

Southwest Georgia Regional Airport

Chief Juneau suffered a fatal heart attack and collapsed shortly after a foot pursuit of a suspected shoplifter. 

Michael D. Harmon

Master Sergeant

Ohio Air National Guard-178th Security Forces Squadron

Springfield

OH

1/31/2002

Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport

Military/ Law enforcement officers died at joint use military/civilian airports

JAMES FARAONE

Police Sergeant

Salt Lake City Police Department

Salt Lake City

 UT

9/18/2001

Salt Lake City International Airport

Sgt. Faraone had witnessed an accident and pulled in behind it with his emergency lights activated to protect the scene. Sgt. Faraone was able to notify dispatch of the accident and his location  but was struck from behind by a truck before he had exited his vehicle

FRED V. MORRONE

Director

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Dirctor Morrone was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

JAMES A. ROMITO

Police Chief

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Chief Romito was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

KATHY N. MAZZA

Captain

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Captain Mazza was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

ANTHONY P. INFANTE JR.

Police Inspector

Port Authority Police Department

NY

 New York

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

 Inspector Infante was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack

ROBERT D. CIRRI

Lieutenant

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Lieutenant Cirri was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

ROBERT M. KAULFERS

Sergeant

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Sergeant Kaulfers was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

CHRISTOPHER C. AMOROSO

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Amoroso was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

MAURICE VINCENT BARRY

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Barry was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

LIAM CALLAHAN

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Callahan was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

CLINTON DAVIS SR.

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

NY

 New York

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

 Officer Davis was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack

DONALD A. FOREMAN

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Foreman was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

GREGG JOHN FROEHNER

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Froehner was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

THOMAS EDWARD GORMAN

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Gorman was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

UHURU GONJA HOUSTON

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Houston was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

GEORGE G. HOWARD

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Howard was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

STEPHEN HUCZKO JR.

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

NY

 New York

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

 Officer Huczko was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack

PAUL W. JURGENS

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Jurgens was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

PAUL LASCZYNSKI

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Lasczynski was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

DAVID P. LEMAGNE

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Lemagne was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

JOHN LENNON

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Lennon was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

J. D. LEVI

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Levi was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

JAMES F. LYNCH

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Lynch was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

DONALD J. MCINTYRE

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer McIntyre was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

WALTER A. MCNEIL

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer McNeil was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

JOSEPH M. NAVAS

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Navas was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

JAMES A. NELSON

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Nelson was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

ALPHONSE J. NIEDERMEYER III

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Niedermeyer was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

JAMES W. PARHAM

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Parham was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

DOMINICK PEZZULO

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Pezzulo was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

BRUCE A. REYNOLDS

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Reynolds was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

ANOTNIO JOSE RODRIGUES

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Rodrigues was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

RICHARD RODRIGUEZ

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Rodriguez was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

JOHN P. SKALA

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Skala was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

WALWYN W. STEWART JR.

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

NY

 New York

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

 Officer Stewart was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack

KENNETH F. TIETJEN

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Tietjen was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

NATHANIEL WEBB

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Webb was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

MICHAEL T. WHOLEY

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

 NY

9/11/2001

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Wholey was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack 

JOHN MICHAEL RICHARDSON

Police Officer

Nashville International Airport Department of Public Safety

Nashville

 TN

4/29/1999

Nashville International Airport

Officer Richardson succumbed to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash. 

RICHARD DAVID BARREDA

Police Coporal

Dallas Ft. Worth International Airport Police Department

Dallas – Ft. Worth

 TX

2/14/1997

Philadelphia International Airport

On Valentine’s Day  February 14 1997 Officer Rick Barreda died in an on duty motorcycle accident while trying to overtake a speeding violator. Criminal charges were successfully filed against the van driver that pulled out in front of Officer Barreda.

PAULINE HARNESS

Police Officer

Philadelphia Police Department

Philadelphia

 PA

6/19/1996

Philadelphia International Airport

While on routine foot patrol in the airport garage  Officer Harness observed an open door to a restricted area of the garage. The only access to this door was via a steep set of metal stairs. After checking the area and securing the door  and sustained fatal injuries.

MICHAEL CAPPARELLI

Police  Officer

Chicago Department of Aviation

Chicago

 IL

3/27/1992

 

Officer Capparelli was killed in an automobile accident with a dump-truck while on routine patrol. 

KENNETH S. BALDWIN

Police  Officer

Okaloosa County Airport Police Department

Okaloosa

 FL

9/11/1987

Okaloosa County Airport

Baldwin was shot repeatedly and killed by an unknown assailant while on patrol at the Okaloosa County (FL) Air Terminal. As Officer Baldwin approached a suspicious vehicle he was shot five times and then run over by the suspect. 

RONALD A. PARKER

Police Corporal

Port of Seattle Police Department

Seattle

 WA

6/8/1987

SEA-TAC International Airport

Corporal Parker ran a long distance to back up an officer fighting with a mentally ill individual. After assisting in subduing the individual Corporal suffered a fatal heart attack. 

GORDON KOWALCZYK

Special Constable

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Calgary

 ON

1/1/1987

Calgary International Airport

A customer had left without paying for gas. Sp. Constable Kowalczyk stopped a suspect  who shot him at point-blank range from his truck before stepping out of the vehicle and firing five more shots at the dying policeman.

WILLIAM MOSS

Police Officer

Houston Airport Police

Houston

 TX

9/12/1983

Houston International Airport

While responding to back up another officer  Officer Moss was involved in a motor vehicle crash and killed.

SCOTT R. PARKER

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

NY

9/5/1983

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Officer Parker was fatally shot during an armed robbery that occurred on his way home from work at John F. Kennedy International Airport. 

JAMES D. BOSSEN

Police Officer

Indianapolis International Airport PD

Indianapolis

 IN

2/5/1982

Indianapolis International Airport

Patrolman Bossen was killed in an aircraft accident while transporting prisoners. The plane flew into the side of a fog-covered mountain. 

Richard F. Gipson

Officer

Chicago Police Department

Chicago

IL

2/4/1981

O’Hare International Airport

 

GARLAND L. GARRISON

Police Officer

Will Rogers Airport Police Department

Oklahoma City

 OK

9/19/1979

Will Rogers International Airport

Officer Garrison was shot and killed at 0830 hours after he and his partner responded to reports of a woman and a young child walking near the airport  throwing clothes into the roadway. The officers located the two on South Meridian Street. Officer Garrison was placing the boy into the police car as his partner questioned the woman. The suspect began to struggle with the other officer and was able to gain control of her service weapon. The suspect shot Officer Garrison in the armpit and shot his partner in the leg. Officer Garrison succumbed to his wounds.

John F. MacInnis

Officer

Phoenix Police Department (Airport Duty)

Phoenix

AZ

2/22/1976

Sky Harbor International Airport

 

GEORGE NEAL RAMSBURG

Police Officer

Baltimore Washington International Airport PD

Baltimore

 MD

2/22/1974

Baltimore/Washington International Airport.

Officer Ramsburg was shot during an attempt to hijack a commercial airliner at  

WILLIAM EDWARD CONNOR

Police Private

US DOT FAA Police Department

Arlington

 VA

1/12/1974

National Airport

Private Connor suffered a fatal heart attack following a foot pursuit and apprehension of three disorderly subjects at the main terminal building of National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. 

ARTHUR M. ANSERT

Police Officer

Port Authority Police Department

New York

NY

10/8/1973

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

On October 7th  Officer Ansert stopped a motorist on the inbound Van Wyck Expressway and while approaching the vehicle a drunk driver struck him and the stopped vehicle  1973.

CARLOS S. STUTEVILLE

Police Officer

Miami Dade PD

Miami

FL

8/22/1964

Miami International Airport

While escorting a mentally ill individual from Miami International Airport a struggle ensued and Officer Stuteville was shot and killed