Henry Bunch

Henry I. Bunch, a dedicated police officer with the San Jose Police Department, tragically lost his life on July 29, 1985, at the age of 33. Officer Bunch was shot and killed with his own service weapon after being overpowered by a suspect he had arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). The suspect, identified as Robert Ordonez, was found passed out and slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle. Officer Bunch, along with his partner, Officer Richard Bridges, placed Ordonez under arrest and transported him to the police facility for processing.

At the police facility, Officer Bunch began the procedure to obtain a chemical sample from Ordonez while his partner secured his own duty weapon in another area of the facility, as per department policy. During this time, Officer Bunch had not yet secured his duty weapon and was alone with the suspect. In a tragic turn of events, Ordonez managed to gain control of Officer Bunch's service weapon and shot him in the head. Officer Bridges, upon hearing the gunshot, rushed back to assist and was also attacked by Ordonez. However, Bridges was able to wrestle the gun away and, in the ensuing struggle, shot and killed Ordonez. Both Officer Bunch and Ordonez were pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident led to an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Officer Bunch's death. It was determined that Officer Bunch had made a critical error by not securing his weapon before unhandcuffing the suspect. This tragic oversight highlighted the dangers police officers face, even in routine situations, and underscored the importance of adhering to safety protocols. Officer Bunch was remembered as an outstanding officer who had served with the San Jose Police Department since 1980, following six years of service with the Daly City Police Department. He was survived by his wife, his six-year-old daughter from a previous marriage, and two stepchildren.

The case did not result in any further arrests or litigations, as the suspect responsible for Officer Bunch's death was also killed during the incident. The San Jose Police Department and the community mourned the loss of Officer Bunch, who was the first San Jose officer in 15 years to be shot to death in the line of duty. His death served as a somber reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face and the need for vigilance and adherence to safety procedures in the line of duty.