Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, California
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 4, 1973
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: 337
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 4, 1973
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Corporal Bruce Verhoeven was shot and killed while searching for an armed robbery suspect at the apartment complex at 2445 Wyda Way in Sacramento.
He was working a special holiday crime prevention detail when he responded to an armed robbery call at the Gemco Department Store. The suspect had been chased to a nearby apartment complex by another officer.
Corporal Verhoeven responded to the scene and began to cordon off an area, then took cover nearby. When a group of bystanders began to assemble, Corporal Verhoeven left his cover to protect them. The suspect opened fire, fatally wounding Corporal Verhoeven. The other officer was able to return fire and kill the suspect.
Corporal Verhoeven had served with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department for ten years. He was survived by his wife and two children.