Visalia Mourns Fallen Officers
| James Rapozo |
| Date of Birth: June 14, 1964 |
| Date Appointed: April 20, 1992 |
| End of Watch: January 9, 1998 |
Fellow officers, friends, and family mourn the passing of Officer James Rapozo, a Visalia officer who was shot fatally during a raid on January 9, 1998. James Rapozo became the first policeman shot to death in Visalia in more than half a century. Rapozo was a native of nearby Hanford. He graduated from high school there in 1982 and California State University Fresno in 1987.His career in law enforcement began when he went to work for the Hanford Police Department. He later worked for the Kings County Sheriff's Department, the California Department of Justice and the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. he was a member of the Basic Car Team, the SWAT Team, the Field Training Unit and the Patrol Planning Council in Visalia.On September 10, 1999 the California Legislature unanimously approved the renaming of the Visalia portion of SR 198 to "Officer James Rapozo Freeway". California Peace Officers Memorial
| Sgt. Charles "Hugh" Garrison |
| Date of Birth: June 23, 1908 |
| Date Appointed: June 30, 1938 |
| End of Watch: November 6, 1946 |
In 1937, "Hugh" Garrison joined the Visalia Police Department and served in this capacity until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Upon his discharge in 1946, he returned to the department. On November 6, 1946, 38-year-old Sergeant Garrison and a 23-year-old suspect, Clyde Bauer of Woodlake, were both mortally wounded. Police had been on the alert for Bauer for about 43 hours, as he was suspected of stealing an automobile from a Main Street garage after smashing a storeroom window. While attempting to arrest the fugitive, a confrontation developed between Garrison and Bauer, both of whom were armed. Garrison was shot once at close range and the suspect, Bauer, was struck twice. Sergeant Garrison, who was survived by his wife, Geneva (now deceased), was interred in the Visalia Cemetery on November 7, 1946. In 1992, relatives donated Sergeant Garrison's badge and Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver inscribed "CHG" to the Visalia Police Department museum. California Peace Officers Memorial
