Officer Verde Smith, Jr., 46

Memphis Tennessee Police Department

June 4, 2016 – Officer Verde Smith, Jr. was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by a man who’d just shot three people. Officer Smith was attempting to move people to safety when the suspect crashed through a barrier, striking him.

Officer Smith is survived by his children, fiancee, and father.

The above image, taken just a fews days before he was killed, was probably the last photo taken of Officer Smith. Yes, the lives of police officers do indeed matter … very much so.

Sergeant Derrick Mingo, 35

Winnsboro Louisiana Police Department

June 4, 2016 – Sergeant Derrick Mingo was killed in a car crash while responding to assist in a pursuit.

Sergeant Mingo is survived by his wife.

Officer Natasha Hunter, 32

New Orleans Police Department

June 7, 2016 – Officer Natasha Hunter was struck by a drunk driver while she was blocking traffic for another officer who was investigating a traffic crash. She was transported to a hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

Officer Hunter is survived by her five-year-old daughter.

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Officer Hunter, along with the two brave officers listed above, died while doing what officers do … protecting the lives of others.

 

Officer Ronald Tarentino, Jr., 42

Auburn Massachusetts Police Department

May 22, 2016 – Officer Ronald Tarentino was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop. As he approached the car a man immediately opened fire, striking Officer Tarentino numerous times.

The suspect fled the scene but was later determined to be hiding in an apartment. When officers entered the residence they discovered a secret passageway leading to another apartment. As officers were searching the second apartment the suspect exited a closet and opened fire, wounding a trooper. The suspect was killed during the exchange of gunfire.

Officer Tarentino is survived by his wife and three children.

 

Detective Brad D. Lancaster, 39

Kansas City Kansas Police Department

May 9, 2016 – Detective Brad Lancaster was shot and killed after responding to assist patrol officers who’d received a call about a suspicious person at a local business. The suspect fled on foot but Detective Lancaster located him in a nearby field. The suspect then shot the detective twice and stole his unmarked police car to flee the area. He later carjacked a vehicle, abducting the two children in the backseat. He soon carjacked a second vehicle and fled to Kansas City, Mo. where he crashed during a pursuit with police. He shot a citizen and attempted a third carjacking but was shot by a Kansas City, Mo. police officer who also took the man into custody.

 

Border Patrol Agent Jose Daniel Barraza, 29

United States Border Patrol – Department of Homeland Security

April 18, 2016 – Agent Jose Daniel Barraza was killed when his patrol vehicle collided with a semi truck. His canine partner was inside the vehicle at the time of the crash but suffered only minor injuries.

Agent Barraza is survived by his wife, two sons, and his mother.