Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Saturday, July 25, 1981
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: July 25, 1981
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 7 years
Police Officer Fabrienne Van Arsdell was killed when her police car was rear-ended by a drunk driver during a traffic stop on South Lewis Avenue.
She had stopped the original vehicle for drunk driving as well. When the second car struck her vehicle, it caught on fire and jammed the doors shut, trapping Officer Van Arsdell inside.
The 32-year-old subject was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 7 years.
Officer Arsdell had served with the Tulsa Police Department for five years. Her husband and father-in-law were Oklahoma state troopers.