San Diego Police Department, California
End of Watch Monday, June 25, 1979
Add to My HeroesDennis Glenn Gonzales
Patrolman Dennis Gonzales was killed when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while making a traffic stop on I-8, just east of the Fairmount Avenue exit.
The 18-year-old suspect later turned himself in, claiming he did not know he struck anyone. The man was convicted of manslaughter.
Patrolman Gonzales had served with the San Diego Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 25
- Tour 5 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Struck by vehicle
Most Recent Reflection
View all 24 ReflectionsYou never see the moments coming that will change a family forever. June 25, 1979 changed the direction of my family forever. He was our uncle, our brother, our son, our husband-he held so many titles. He was our light. These are the moments that you can’t help to think back on and question what if it never happened? What if he were still here with us? Who would he be? What greatness were we not allowed to see? How would my life be different had I had his influence longer? How would the world be different had he been given the opportunity to be a part of it longer than 25 years?
The hole in my grandmothers heart was finally healed when she went to spend forever with her son a few months ago. But as I stood saying my goodbyes to her I could not help but wonder how our lives would be different had we all not had to grow up so quickly. Had we had his encouragement, his words, him in our lives. Had the pervasive sadness that swallowed this family whole on June 25,1979 never touched us. Your memory sits on my heart everyday. You were remembered. You were missed. You were our hero.
Christopher
Nephew
April 30, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Gonzalo Carrasco, Jr.
Selma Police Department, CA
EOW: January 31, 2023

Master Patrol Officer Clarence L. "CJ" Williams
Cairo Police Department, GA
EOW: January 28, 2023

Supervisory Officer Jacqueline Montanaro
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: January 14, 2023

Police Officer Carl Douglas Kimball
St. Francisville Police Department, LA
EOW: January 12, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Darnell Calhoun
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 13, 2023

Court Services Officer Curtis Matthew Worland
Alaska State Troopers, AK
EOW: December 13, 2022

Chief of Police Justin McIntire
Brackenridge Borough Police Department, PA
EOW: January 2, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Isaiah Cordero
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: December 29, 2022

Corporal Ray Charles Hamilton
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: December 24, 2022