San Francisco Police Department, California
End of Watch: Tuesday, November 14, 1989
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: 930
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Date of Incident: November 14, 1989
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Arrested and charged with resisting arre
Officer John Blessing was struck by a vehicle and killed while in a foot pursuit with a narcotics suspect. While chasing the suspect, Officer Blessing stopped traffic at the corner of Army Street and Folsom Street so he could get into a backup unit when a passing truck stuck him from behind.
The narcotics suspect was apprehended in Louisiana a few weeks later after tireless efforts by the San Francisco police department's gang unit discovering information that lead to the arrest. Due to California law at the time the suspect was only charged with a misdemeanor for resisting arrest; however, Officer Blessing's death prompted the state legislature of California to change the law making it a felony to resist arrest if an officer is seriously injured or killed as a result.
Officer Blessing had been with the agency for 12 years and was assigned to the Special Operations Task Force. He was survived by his wife and two children.