Friday’s Heroes: Remembering The Fallen
Officer Alex Yazzie, 42
Navajo Tribal Police, Division of Public Safety
March 19, 2015 – Officer Alex Yazzie was shot and killed while pursuing a suspect who’d shot at another police officer. Additionally, two other officers were wounded by the suspect’s gunfire. The original shooting incident occurred as officers responded to a domestic call where the offender used an AR-15 to fire at officers.
Patrolman George S. Nissen, 51
Stone Park Illinois Police Department
March 12, 2015 – Patrolman George S. Nissen succumbed to injuries received 10 years earlier after being attacked when responding to a large bar fight. Head injuries and subsequent surgeries resulted in him becoming a quadriplegic and unable to speak. He died as a direct result of his injuries.
Patrolman Nissen is survived by his daughter and four brothers.
Officer Michael Johnson, 38
San Jose California Police Department
March 25, 2015 – Officer Michael Johnson was shot and killed as he and other officers responded to a suicide call. When officers arrived the suspect stepped out onto a balcony and immediately opened fire, fatally wounding Officer Johnson.
Trooper Trevor Casper, 21
Wisconsin State Patrol
March 24, 2015 – Trooper Trevor Casper was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a bank robbery and murder suspect.
Trooper Casper had graduated from the training academy only three months prior to his death, and was working his very first shift assignment after completing his field training. It was his first day working alone.
Trooper Casper is survived by his parents and two sisters.