Selma killing marks ninth officer to die in the line of duty in Fresno County since 2010

The Selma Police officer who was shot and killed in the city Tuesday is the ninth law-enforcement officer to die in the line of duty in Fresno County since 2010.

Authorities did not immediately identify the slain Selma officer, the third in Fresno County since 2010 to be shot to death by an assailant. Also in the last 13 years, three officers died of complications of COVID-19, two officers died in a traffic accident and another died in an accidental shooting.

The Fresno County Peace Officers Memorial Foundation recognizes fallen officers who perished in the line of duty while serving in Fresno County since 1889.

The list since 2010:

FRESNO POLICE SGT. RICHARD PAUL BROWN II

Brown died of complications of COVID-19 in the line of duty on Feb. 17, 2021.

FRESNO POLICE OFFICER ANGEL DELAFUENTE

DeLaFuente died of complications of COVID-19 in the line of duty on Feb. 28, 2021.

FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DETECTIVE JOSE CRUZ MORA

Cruz Mora died from complications of COVID-19 on Sept. 7, 2020 after transporting a homicide suspect back to Fresno County from Oklahoma.

FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF’S SGT. ROD LUCAS

Lucas was shot and killed on Oct. 31, 2016 when another sheriff’s deputy discharged his firearm by mistake.

CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER JUAN GONZALEZ

Gonzalez died on Feb. 24, 2014 in a traffic collision on Highway 99.

CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER BRIAN LAW

Law died on Feb. 24, 2014 in a traffic collision while riding with Officer Gonzalez.

REEDLEY POLICE OFFICER JAVIER BEJAR

Bejar died on March 1, 2010 after being shot on Feb. 25, 2010, when he responded to an officer down call in Minkler.

FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY JOEL WAHLENMAIER

Wahlenmaier died on Feb. 25, 2010 when he was shot and killed as he and another deputy assisted in the service of a warrant on a suspected arsonist in Minkler.