Petaluma Police Department, California
End of Watch Sunday, February 1, 1998
Add to My HeroesVilho O. Ahola
Police Officer Vilho O. Ahola succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on November 7th, 1969, when he was shot in the neck and rendered a quadriplegic.
He had responded to a domestic disturbance at 818 I Street and was standing by as the female party removed items from the residence. A short time later, the male subject produced a small handgun and ordered Officer Ahola to hand over his service weapon. A struggle ensued for the suspect's weapon, and Officer Ahola was shot in the neck.
After Officer Ahola passed away, the Sonoma County Coroner's Office ruled his death a result of complications of quadriplegia due to a gunshot wound to the neck.
Officer Ahola was a United Air Force veteran and had served with the Petaluma Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In 2016, State Highway 101, known as the "Old Redwood Highway Interchange," located at the north end of the City of Petaluma, was renamed the Police Officer Vilho Ahola Memorial Interchange.
Bio
- Age 70
- Tour 7 years
- Badge 1
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Friday, November 7, 1969
- Weapon Handgun; .25 caliber
- Offender Convicted of assault
Most Recent Reflection
View all 24 ReflectionsWe have just passed your memorial sign and I am struck by the fact that you were providing protection to a woman when you were shot. A powerful example of service. Thank you. You are not forgotten.
Sue McDonald
Retired Midwife
March 1, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Border Patrol Agent Daniel Salazar
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: May 17, 2022

Chief Deputy Sheriff Jody Wayne Cash
Calloway County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 16, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Walter Donald Jenkins, Jr.
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: May 11, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Robert Adam Howard
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: May 11, 2022

Patrol Officer Brian Lee Sember
Ottawa Police Department, IL
EOW: April 3, 2022

Sergeant Nicholas W. Tullier
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: May 5, 2022

Police Officer Darryl Wayne Fortner
Vestavia Hills Police Department, AL
EOW: April 6, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist
Knox County Sheriff's Office, IL
EOW: April 29, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Douglas Warren Sanford
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: March 29, 2022