Kern County 999 Foundation

IN MEMORIAM – PHILLIP CAMPAS – END OF WATCH – SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2021
It has been 5-years since Kern County lost one of its finest law enforcement officers!
On Sunday, July 25, 2021, at about 1:00 pm, Deputies from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call reporting an armed man – later identified as 41-year-old, Jose Manuel Ramirez Jr., the subject of a restraining order, was at home near the intersection of 1st Street and Poplar Avenue in Wasco. Screaming and gunfire could be heard in the background of the 911 call.
Responding deputies met a woman fleeing the home who said at least two people inside the house had been shot. The suspect fired at deputies and then barricaded himself in the home. The agency’s SWAT team was deployed, and a standoff ensued. At about 3:00 pm, the suspect opened fire on the SWAT team members as they approached the home. The gunfire struck Deputy Phillip Campas and Senior Deputy Dizander Guerrero. Both Deputies were transported to a local hospital, where Deputy Phillip Campas succumbed to his wounds.
At about 6:28 pm, the suspect, armed with an AK-47 rifle and a handgun, climbed onto the home’s roof, where he exchanged gunfire with deputies, according to Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood.
The suspect was shot and killed in the exchange. Inside the house, deputies found three people deceased with gunshot wounds — a woman, Viviana Ruiz Ramirez, age 42, and two males, Jose Manuel Ramirez III, 24, and Angel Ramirez, 17. Sheriff Donny Youngblood said the two male victims were the suspect’s sons, and the woman was their mother.
Deputy Phillip Campas, age 35, wore badge number 1392 and was a five-year veteran of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. He received the Medal of Valor, the highest honor bestowed by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Campas was also a United States Marine Corps veteran who served in Afghanistan. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries sustained in combat. He is survived by his wife and three young children, ages 6, 9, and 13.
He loved his family, his country, and his job. Thank you, sir, for your services. Godspeed - Rest easy, brother - we will take it from here. Until Valhalla

REMEMBERING DAVID JOSEPH NELSON - END OF WATCH - Friday, June 26, 2015
It's been eleven years since we bid farewell to one of Kern County's exceptional individuals! Today, we gather to pay tribute and commemorate the life of Officer David Joseph Nelson.
In the early hours of Friday, June 26, 2015, precisely at 2:37 a.m., Officer David Nelson, a valued member of the police force at the age of 26, initiated a traffic stop near the bustling intersection of Flower and Haley Street. The detailed police report unveils the unfolding events of that fateful night.
Moments later, with an urgency in his voice, Officer Nelson radioed in, conveying that he was pursuing a vehicle traveling north on Haley Street. Dispatchers noticed his breathlessness during his second transmission, sensing the situation's intensity.
Heading back north on Haley Street, Nelson made a swift eastward turn onto Panorama Drive. At this critical juncture, communication with dispatch abruptly ceased, leaving a void in the airwaves.
Upon receiving the distress call, fellow officers were immediately dispatched to locate Nelson. Their search led them to the crash site, where at precisely 2:40 a.m., they discovered his patrol car tragically collided with a wall at the intersection of Panorama Drive and Mt. Vernon Avenue.
The fire had not yet reached the driver's seat despite the vehicle being engulfed in flames. The officers swiftly extricated Nelson from the wreckage with great courage, providing him immediate first aid. Shortly after, a Hall Ambulance crew arrived, expediting his transportation to Kern Medical Center. Regrettably, Nelson was pronounced deceased at 3:05 a.m.
Thankfully, no other officers sustained injuries as a result of the crash.
Nelson, a dedicated two-year veteran of the department, tragically became the first Bakersfield police officer to lose his life in the line of duty since Officer William Leonard Sikola's fatal vehicle pursuit in 1983.
The news of Nelson's passing weighs heavily on the hearts of those within the police force. Sergeant Joe Grubbs shared, "It's an immensely challenging situation. We haven't encountered something as devastating as this in a long time."

IN MEMORIAM – JAMES EDWARD THRONE – END OF WATCH – FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2008

It has been 18 years since Kern County lost one of its finest! Today, we honor and remember Deputy Sheriff James Edward Throne. Deputy James Throne was killed when his patrol car collided with another patrol car as they responded to backup deputies involved in a foot chase.

Deputy Throne was westbound on Blackburn Street while the other deputy was driving a marked car northbound on Weedpatch Highway. As the other deputy approached the intersection, Deputy Throne pulled into the intersection, where he was struck.

The other deputy suffered major injuries and is being treated at Kern Medical Center.

Deputy Throne was on the force for two and a half years and previously served with the Taft Police Department. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Thank you for your service. Godspeed - Rest easy, brother - we will take it from here.

🎉 GIVEAWAY TIME! 🎉

The Kern County 999 Foundation is giving away a Foundation Merch Bag to one lucky supporter!

To enter:✅ Follow our page✅ Like this post✅ Tag 3 friends who support law enforcement

📍 Winner must reside in Kern County.

One random winner will be selected on June 14th.

Thank you for supporting our mission of honoring the fallen and supporting surviving law enforcement families. Your support helps us continue making a difference in our community.

Good luck! 🚔💙