Police Officer John Raymond Hege

Police Officer John Raymond Hege

Oakland Police Department, California

End of Watch Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Add to My Heroes

John Raymond Hege

Officer John Hege and Sergeant Mark Dunakin were shot and killed during a traffic stop at 74th Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard. During the stop, the driver opened fire, killing Sergeant Dunakin and mortally wounding Officer Hege. Citizens who witnessed the incident called 911 and started CPR on both officers.

The suspect fled on foot, leading to an intense manhunt by dozens of officers from the Oakland Police Department, California Highway Patrol, and Alameda County Sheriff's Department.

At approximately 3:30 p.m., the Oakland Police Department received an anonymous tip that the suspect was barricaded inside an apartment building on 74th Avenue.

Officers first attempted to negotiate with the suspect, but a SWAT team was sent into the location to apprehend him when that failed. As the SWAT officers approached, the suspect opened fire with a rifle, killing Sergeant Ervin Romans and Sergeant Daniel Sakai and wounding a third officer. Officers returned fire, killing the 26-year-old male suspect.

It was later determined that the suspect had an extensive violent criminal history and was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon. In addition, at the time of the incident, he had a no-bail parole warrant.

Officer Hege had served with the Oakland Police Department for 10 years. He is survived by his parents.

An unidentified good samaritan gave CPR to Officer Hege until emergency crews arrived so his organs could be donated to four people.

In March 2012, the Keller Avenue Bridge over I-580 was renamed the "Sgt. Mark Dunakin Sgt. Ervin Romans Sgt. Daniel Sakai Officer John Hege Memorial Bridge."

In January 2019, Hampton Field dedicated the John Raymond Hege Memorial Backstop on the baseball diamond in his honor.

Bio

  • Age 41
  • Tour 10 years
  • Badge 729

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Incident Date Saturday, March 21, 2009
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Shot and killed

traffic stop

Most Recent Reflection

View all 736 Reflections

Rest in peace Officer Hege.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 26, 2022

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.