Fairfax County Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch: Wednesday, July 27, 1977
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: July 27, 1977
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Police Officer Karen Bassford was killed in an automobile accident on Gallows Road, near Merry Oaks Lane, while responding to a burglary call shortly after midnight.
As she was coming around a curve her vehicle spun out of control and struck a utility pole. Officer Bassford was thrown from the vehicle. She was transported to Fairfax Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Officer Bassford had served with the Fairfax County Police Department for one year and was assigned to the McLean Substation. She had previously served with the Arlington County Sheriff's Office for two years. She was survived by her parents.