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Detective Kevin Owen Hock #799 August 25, 2019 Kevin Owen Hock, 52, passed away in Tehachapi, California on August 25, 2019 due to complications of Valley Fever. Kevin was born on August 12, 1967 to Larry and Carole Hock of Bakersfield. He graduated from West High School in 1985. In 1991 he met his wife Patti and they were married on August 28, 1993. Kevin was hired full time with the Bakersfield Police Department in 1995 where he worked until his passing. Kevin and Patti welcomed a son, Jared Owen, in 1997. In 1998, Kevin joined the BPD K9 team and teamed up with his partner, Dex. He and Dex worked together for over seven years. They shared a very special bond. Kevin loved animals and previously served on the Board of the Bakersfield SPCA. He and Patti had several special pets throughout their 26 years of marriage. As a family Kevin, Patti and Jared took many vacations. Kevin’s favorite place was the beach. He had special memories of playing in the tidepools in Cambria when he was young. After vacationing in Kona in 2015, he decided that was where he wanted to retire. Kevin had a very strong work ethic. After his first ride-a-long with BPD, he knew he wanted to be a cop. He had many different assignments during his almost 24 years on the force. His “blue family” was almost as important to him as his real family. There are many officers that he considered his brothers. Kevin is survived by many family members, especially his loving wife of 26 years, Patti Hock and his son Jared Hock. He will be missed by many. His tough façade hid a heart of gold. He was genuine in all aspects of his life. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a faithful friend and an excellent officer.
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Sergeant Dennis Alan Moore #836 August 9, 2017 Dennis Alan Moore passed away in peace on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at San Joaquin Community Hospital from a sudden heart attack. Dennis was born on December 15, 1969 in Canoga Park, CA. He and his younger sister Kimberly grew up in the Pine Mountain area and attended Bakersfield High School where he graduated in 1988. He then followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued a career in law enforcement in May 1991, after graduating from the Bakersfield Police Academy. Not long after, he landed his position as officer at the Arvin Police Department before transferring to the Bakersfield Police Department in 1997, where he was promoted to Senior Officer in 2004 and later to Sergeant in 2011. Dennis respectfully worked in law enforcement for over 20 years, committing his life to keeping his community safe. He was just two years from retirement. Dennis met his loving wife of 23 years in 1989 while attending Bakersfield College. Dennis and Gina continued to build a life’s journey with the growth of their family, welcoming three children into the world, Jarrett, Ashley, and Melissa. Dennis was a distinguished man of duty, beloved husband, father, and son, and an all-around caring individual who will be fondly remembered as the awe-inspiring man that he devoted himself to be for his family, friends, and the entire Bakersfield community. His impact was evident through the lowering of the flags to half-staff, the candlelight vigil, and the numerous words of support and encouragement. No matter the circumstance, his line of work always consisted of helping others achieve greatness, and that will without fail remain as his legacy, now and forever. Dennis is survived by his wife, their three children, his parents, Sandra and Thomas Moore, and his sister.
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Police Officer David Joseph Nelson June 26, 2015 Police Officer David Nelson was killed in a vehicle crash while involved in a vehicle pursuit at approximately 2:40 a.m. The pursuit started when he attempted to conduct a traffic stop of an unlicensed vehicle. He chased the car for several blocks until his cruiser left the roadway and struck a retaining wall and a utility pole at the intersection of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Panorama Drive, causing the engine compartment to ignite. Responding officers located his vehicle and removed him from the wreckage before the patrol car became engulfed in flames. He was transported to Kern Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later. The vehicle he was pursuing continued to flee. The driver was arrested the following day after police received an anonymous tip about the vehicle. The driver was arrested and charged with evading an officer resulting in injury or death, hit and run resulting in injury or death, obstructing arrest, felon in possession of a firearm, and other charges. The driver was sentenced to 31 years to life in May 2018. Officer Nelson had served with the Bakersfield Police Department for two years. He is survived by his parents and two brothers. In October 2016, Hosking Bridge was renamed to Bakersfield Police Officer David Nelson Memorial Bridge.
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Police Officer William Leonard Sikola July 17, 1983 Officer William Sikola was killed in a motorcycle accident while responding to assist in the pursuit of a stolen vehicle. Officer Sikola was driving home from finishing his shift and a call came on the radio about a stolen vehicle from a local car dealer. Officer Sikola joined the pursuit and got a “high speed wobble” from the motorcycle. He received extensive head injuries from his shorty bell helmet and died 4 hours later. Officer Sikola had been with the agency for four years. He was survived by his wife and three children.
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Sergeant Patrick Don Vegas June 20, 1980 Sergeant Vegas was killed when his police motorcycle was struck by a car while he was responding to the scene of another accident. He had been with the agency for 11 years.
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Officer William Lord Rucker July 20, 1952 Officer Rucker was killed in a motorcycle accident while taking his police motorcycle to the motor shop. He was a WWII veteran and had been a POW in a German prison camp for two years. He had been with the agency for three years and was survived by his wife and two sons.
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Officer Floyd B. D. W. Cummings January 7, 1952 Officer Cummings died during surgery from injuries sustained during a fall while on routine foot patrol. He had been with the agency for eight years.
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Officer Aaren Alexander Trent August 22, 1917 Officer Aaron Trent was killed when his police motorcycle struck a train while responding to a theft in progress. He had served with the Bakersfield Police Department for less than one year.
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Officer Frank Sparks June 17, 1917 Officer Frank Sparks was killed when his police motorcycle collided with a streetcar while he was pursuing a speeding motorist. He was attempting to get the driver’s attention when he struck the streetcar head-on on Chester Avenue, near 26th Street. Officer Sparks had served with the Bakersfield Police Department for only six weeks. He was survived by his wife and three children. He is buried in Union Cemetery in Bakersfield, California.
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City Marshal Thomas Jefferson Packard April 20, 1903 Marshal Thomas Packard and Deputy Tibbet were shot and killed while attempting to serve a murder warrant on a suspect. The suspect was shot and killed as he attempted to escape by Deputy Tibbet’s brother, who was also a Deputy Sheriff. Marshal Packard succumbed to his wounds the following morning. A second suspect was arrested and sentenced to life in prison for the murders, but committed suicide before the sentence was carried out. Marshal Packard was survived by his wife and brother. He is buried in Union Cemetery, Bakersfield, California.