In Memory of those Killed in the Line of Duty
Ceres Police Sergeant Howard K. Stevenson
On January 9th, 2005 the Ceres Police Department suffered its first in line of duty death when Sergeant Howard “Howie” Stevenson was shot and killed.
Sergeant Stevenson and other officers had responded to a liquor store on North Central Avenue to investigate reports of an armed male who was acting strangely. The first officer on the scene, Sgt. Sam Ryno, was shot and wounded by the suspect. Officer John King arrived and returned fire as he and another Officer pulled Sgt. Ryno to cover. Sergeant Stevenson arrived at the scene. He exited his patrol car from the opposite side of the store and immediately engaged the suspect, firing eight shots before being fatally shot himself. The suspect exchanged shots with responding officers before fleeing the scene. He was shot and killed approximately three hours later during a second shootout with police.
Sergeant Stevenson had served with the Ceres Police Department for 20 years. During his tenure, he served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Detective and Range Master. At the time of his death, he was a Patrol Sergeant and SWAT Team Leader. Today his identification number, 143, is proudly displayed on the SWAT armored vehicle in his memory. His motto “We train, rain or shine” is still echoed in the halls of the police department.
Sergeant Stevenson left behind a wife, Kathy, and three children.
Stanislaus County Officers
Killed in the Line of Duty
Officer | Department | End of Watch |
Corporal Ronil Singh | Newman PD | December 26, 2018 |
Deputy Tony Hinostroza, III | Sheriff’s Department | November 25, 2018 |
Deputy Jason Garner | Sheriff’s Department | May 13, 2017 |
Deputy Dennis Randall Wallace | Sheriff’s Department | November 13, 2016 |
Deputy Robert L. Paris, Jr. | Sheriff’s Department | April 12, 2012 |
Sergeant Steven Edward May | Modesto PD | July 23, 2009 |
Officer Earl Scott | CHP | February 17, 2006 |
Sergeant Howard King Stevenson | Ceres PD | January 9, 2005 |
Officer Leo R. Volk, Jr. | Modesto PD | May 21, 1973 |
Officer Raymond Carl Willert | Turlock PD | February 9, 1973 |
Officer William R. Court | CHP | February 13, 1970 |
Deputy Bill J. Dickens | Sheriff’s Department | January 27, 1970 |
Deputy Harold L. Thornton | Sheriff’s Department | August 23, 1967 |
Officer Harold B. Harless | Riverbank PD | October 17, 1965 |
Officer George Gustave Bredenberg, Jr | Turlock PD | November 4, 1949 |
Officer Joe Edward Kerley | Turlock PD | November 1, 1949 |
Officer Glenn Edwin Winans | Turlock PD | November 1, 1949 |
Officer Lavon B. New | Turlock PD | August 14, 1935 |
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Corporal Ronil "Ron" Singh - EOW: 12/26/18
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Deputy Antonio "Tony" Hinostroza, III - EOW: 11/25/18
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Deputy Jason Garner - EOW: 5/13/17
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Deputy Dennis Wallace - EOW:11/13/16
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Deputy Robert Paris - EOW: 4/12/12
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Sgt. Steven May - EOW: 7/23/09
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Officer Earl Scott - EOW: 2/17/06
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Sgt. Howard Stevenson - EOW: 1/9/05
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Officer Leo Volk - EOW: 5/21/73
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Officer Raymond Willert - EOW: 2/9/73
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Officer William Court - EOW: 2/13/70
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Deputy Bill Dickens - EOW 1/27/70
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Deputy Harold Thornton - EOW: 8/23/67
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Officer Harold Harless - EOW: 10/17/65
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Officer Joe Kerley - EOW: 11/1/49
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Officer Glenn Winans - EOW: 11/1/49
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Officer George Bredenberg, Jr. - EOW: 11/4/49
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Officer Lavon New - EOW: 8/14/35