Volk was pinned in the wreckage for 40 minutes before rescue crews could remove him and rush him to the hospital. During that time he regained consciousness but was only able to say "chasing . . . orange GTO". The driver of the car was never found, and the crime he committed to cause Volk to pursue him remains unknown.
At 7:30 a.m. on May 21, 1973, Officer Leo Robert Volk Jr. died from injuries sustained in the wreck, leaving his wife and toddler son behind. He gained the unfortunate distinction of being the first officer to die in the line of duty in the history of the Modesto Police Department. His badge was retired from service.
Officer Volk was survived by his wife and infant son.
Officer Volk is honored at the Stanislaus County Peace Officer Memorial in Lakewood Memorial Cemetery, The California State Peace Officer Memorial in Sacramento, CA, and the National Peace Officer Memorial in Washington, D.C., Panel 21-W, Line 13.
Volk was pinned in the wreckage for 40 minutes before rescue crews could remove him and rush him to the hospital. During that time he regained consciousness but was only able to say "chasing . . . orange GTO". The driver of the car was never found, and the crime he committed to cause Volk to pursue him remains unknown.
At 7:30 a.m. on May 21, 1973, Officer Leo Robert Volk Jr. died from injuries sustained in the wreck, leaving his wife and toddler son behind. He gained the unfortunate distinction of being the first officer to die in the line of duty in the history of the Modesto Police Department. His badge was retired from service.
Officer Volk was survived by his wife and infant son.
Officer Volk is honored at the Stanislaus County Peace Officer Memorial in Lakewood Memorial Cemetery, The California State Peace Officer Memorial in Sacramento, CA, and the National Peace Officer Memorial in Washington, D.C., Panel 21-W, Line 13.
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