Officer Jim Jensen
Deputy Constable Andrew McNaughton
Officer Albert Gasperetti
Constable William Kelley
Sr. Officer John Adair
Officer Fredrick Clark
Officer Jim O’Brien
EOW: March 13, 1996
EOW: March 23, 1906
EOW: April 15, 1956
EOW: August 20, 1921
EOW: October 7, 1980
EOW: October 12, 1971
EOW: December 2, 1993
Deputy Constable Andrew McNaughton
Age: 43
Tour: 2 years
Cause: Gunfire
E.O.W: March 23, 1906
Night Watchman McNaughton was shot and killed while on duty. His body was found in
an alley with a single gunshot wound to his head the following morning. Three suspects
were apprehended a few days later and charged with murder.
One of the suspects was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. Another
suspect was declared incompetent to stand trial and committed to an insane asylum.
-Source: Officer Down Memorial
Constable William E. Kelley
Age: 58
Tour: 13 years
Cause: Gunfire
E.O.W: August 20, 1921
William E. Kelley was hired as an Oxnard police officer in 1907, serving under thenchief William Reno. When Reno resigned, Kelley was appointed Chief.
If police officers could be awarded medals for bravery and heroic actions like the
military, Chief Kelley would have earned at least three Purple Hearts. He was shot
three different times over the course of his career a police officer.
In the 1891, while serving as a police officer in Minnesota, Chief Kelley was first
wounded in the line of duty. While escorting a prisoner to jail, the prisoner suddenly
produced a gun and shot Kelley in the leg. Kelley pulled his gun and killed the prisoner,
shooting him four times before the prisoner hit the ground.
In 1914, he and three officers were sitting in a cigar store in the area of Third and A
streets when a person came in, drew a revolver and shot Kelley and two of the other
officers. New accounts of the day stated “In spite of a bullet wound two inches from his
heart, Kelley sprang up and seized the would-be murderer and marched him off to jail
after disarming him.
In 1921, Sheriff McMartin and Marshal Kelley teamed up to serve an arrest warrant on a
fugitive in Owensmouth, the area now known as Canoga Park. As the lawmen
approached the fugitive’s home, gunfire erupted and both McMartin and Kelley were
fatally wounded. After shooting the two lawmen, the suspect fled into a nearby bean
field pursued by some 100 ranchers and citizens. When the posse finally came upon
him, it was found he had shot and killed himself.Kelley was laid to rest in the
mausoleum at Oxnard’s Santa Clara Cemetery.
Officer Albert Gasperetti
Age: 43
Tour: N/A
Cause: Automobile Accident
E.O.W: April 15, 1956
Officer Albert Gasperetti was killed in an automobile accident while on duty.
-Source: Officer Down Memorial
Senior Officer John Adair
Age: 31
Tour: N/A
Cause: Gunfire
E.O.W: October 7, 1980
Officer Adair was shot and killed while responding to a domestic dispute. Despite being
mortally wounded, Officer Adair, and his partner, were able to return fire and killed the
suspect.
Officer Adair's wife was on a ride along with him at the time and witnessed the shooting.
Officer Adair was survived by his wife and two children. One of his children, Kevin Adair,
later became an Oxnard police officer.
-Source: Officer Down Memorial
Officer Fredrick Clark
Age: 28
Tour: 2 years, 3 months
Cause: Gunfire
E.O.W: October 12, 1971
Officer Frederick J. Clark was born in Orange, New Jersey, on August 23, 1943. He
moved to the San Fernando area in 1946 with his family. He attended and graduated
from Birmingham High School, Van Nuys, California. He attended Los Angeles Pierce
College in Los Angeles, California, and he was presently enrolled in classes at Ventura
College.
Prior to accepting a position with the Oxnard Police Department, Officer Clark had been
employed by Hughes Markets from 1960 to 1969. At this time, he accepted a position
as a police officer with the City of Oxnard.
During the time he was with the Oxnard Police Department, Officer Clark made many
contributions and achievements, including graduation from the Ventura College Police
Academy, Drivers Training certificates from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department,
Operation and Use of Breathalyzer, and First Aid from the National Red Cross. Officer
Clark received certificates from the Federal Bureau of Investigation for Chemical Agents
Training, Law Enforcement Officers Training School in Contemporary Police Problems
at Moorpark College for Urban Warfare Institute, from the National Safety Council for
participation in the Defensive Driving Schools, and from the Peace Officers Standards
and Training for completion of required courses for Police Officers.
In the twenty-seven months that Officer Clark served the community, he received
numerous letters of commendation from citizens praising his fairness, alertness and
humanity. He had been chosen as one of the Department's representatives at the "Rap
Sessions" held in the Colonia area earlier in the year.
He was always held in high esteem by his fellow officers who continually commended
his willingness and sincerity in helping others.
Officer Clark will be deeply missed, not only by his wife, daughter, family, friends, and
fellow officers, but also by the community for which he gave his life to serve and protect.
Officer Jim O’Brien
Age: 35
Tour: 9 years
Cause: Gunfire
E.O.W: December 2, 1993
Officer O'Brien was shot and killed by a man who had shot seven people, killing three of
them during a shooting spree at an unemployment office. Officer O'Brien was shot with
a deer rifle as he pursued the man near Olivas Park Drive and Victoria Avenue in
Ventura by an unemployed computer engineer.
Officer O'Brien had served with the agency for 9 years. He was survived by his wife,
daughter, son, mother, brother and three sisters.
-Source: Officer Down Memorial
Officer Jim Jensen
Age: 30
Tour: 4 years
Cause: Gunfire
E.O.W: March 13, 1996
Officer James Jensen was shot and killed by friendly fire during a high risk warrant
service. The agency's tactical team was serving a warrant on a house where three
heavily armed drug-ring leaders were believed to be located.
Another officer, whose vision was obscured as the result of smoke from a Light, Sound
Diversionary Device (LSDD), mistook Officer Jensen for an armed suspect and opened
fire on him with a shotgun. He was transported to a local hospital where he died a short
time later.
Officer Jensen had served with the Oxnard Police Department for 4 years. He is
survived by his wife and two daughters.
-Source: Officer Down Memorial