Oceanside Police Department
California
End of Watch: Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Cause: Gunfire
Biographical Info
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 1091 Officer Dan Bessant was shot after he responded to assist another officer on a traffic stop.
An officer had requested back up during a traffic stop near the 500 block of Arthur Avenue close to Gold Drive in Oceanside. Officer Bessant responded and was shot from behind by a person who was not a part of the traffic stop. The shot struck Officer Bessant under his arm in an area not covered by his bullet resistant vest. Officer Bessant was flown to Scripps Memorial Hospital, where he died from the injury.
Two teenage suspects were arrested and charged with Officer Bessant's murder. One of them was convicted of murder in November 2008.
Officer Bessant had been an officer with the Oceanside Police Department for three years and had worked in an unsworn position for three years prior to that. He is survived by his wife and 2-month-old child. | 
