Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch: Friday, May 12, 1995
Age: 49
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Duty related illness
Date of Incident: June 19, 1984
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Deputy Sheriff Jimmie Henry died of a disease contracted as the result of being exposed to burning jet fuel following a military plane crash on Santa Catalina Island.
He and two other deputies were attempting to rescue the pilot after the U.S. Navy FA-18 fighter jet crashed into a 600-foot bluff near White's Landing on the southeast side of the island. As a result of being exposed to the burning jet fuel, all three deputies developed pulmonary fibrosis which causes scar tissue to build up in the lungs.
Deputy Henry was forced to medically retire in 1984 as a result of developing the illness. He died 10 years later shortly after undergoing a lung transplant as a result of the illness.
Deputy Henry had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 18 years. He was survived by his wife and child.