Ventura County Sheriff's Office, California
End of Watch Saturday, July 15, 1961
Add to My HeroesEarl Mendenhall
Deputy Sheriff Earl Mendenhall was killed in an automobile accident when a mentally ill prisoner he was transporting grabbed the wheel of his cruiser and caused it to veer into oncoming traffic causing a head-on collision. Three people in the other car were seriously injured but survived. The 27-year-old prisoner was sent to a mental institution where he soon escaped. He remained at large for two years before he was captured at his parents home.
Deputy Mendenhall's death led to the installation of plastic shields in police cars between the front and back seats to protect officers from criminals.
Deputy Mendenhall was a WWII veteran.
Bio
- Age 35
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Vehicular assault
- Weapon Automobile
- Offender Not available
Most Recent Reflection
View all 19 ReflectionsThis man was my grandfather he was my dads father. I wish I would have been able to meet him.
My father has gone to be with him in heaven. rest in peace grandpa and dad.
Mark Mendenhall
grandson
August 8, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths
Chief of Police Michael E. German
Prairie City Police Department, IA
EOW: January 13, 2022
Detention Sergeant Janell L. Visser
Miller County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: January 9, 2022
Police Officer Wayne "Butch" Nowell, Jr.
Meridian Police Department, TX
EOW: December 29, 2021
Deputy Sheriff Jayme Williams
Itasca County Sheriff's Office, MN
EOW: December 27, 2021
Corporal John Joseph Wojciechowski
Wayne County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: December 21, 2021
Police Officer Bart Lane Arnold
Enid Police Department, OK
EOW: January 3, 2022
Police Officer Gregory M. Santangelo
Frederick Police Department, MD
EOW: December 28, 2021
Transfer Officer Terry Primus
Georgia Department of Corrections, GA
EOW: December 16, 2021
Police Officer II Fernando Arroyos
Los Angeles Police Department, CA
EOW: January 10, 2022