Kern County Sheriff's Office, California
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 19, 1983
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: October 19, 1983
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Deputy Sheriff Michael Bentley was killed when his cruiser was intentionally rammed by a fleeing armed robbery suspect.
The suspect was fleeing an armed robbery of a convenience store in a stolen pick-up. The suspect changed direction, and before the pursuing deputy could broadcast the direction, he approached Deputy Bentley's unit head-on, explaining later that he saw the vehicle but decided to commit suicide by ramming the patrol car. The subject suffered a cut lip.
The subject was sentenced to life imprisonment but is eligible for parole.
Deputy Bentley was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Kern County Sheriff's Office for eight years. He was survived by his wife, stepson, parents.