Sergeant Loren Whitehat, Sr., Navajo Division of Public Safety, Tribal Police

Sergeant Loren Whitehat, Sr.

Navajo Division of Public Safety, Tribal Police

End of Watch Thursday, May 10, 1979

Add to My Heroes

Loren Whitehat, Sr.

Sergeant Loren Whitehat was shot and killed as he assisted his twin brother, also a Navajo Division of Public Safety officer, arrest a DUI suspect. The suspect had fled into a nearby rocky area off of Highway 160.

When Sergeant Whitehat caught the subject, the man was able to gain control of his service revolver. The man opened fire, killing Sergeant Whitehat. The subject was convicted in connection with Sergeant Whitehat's murder and sentenced to six years in prison.

Sergeant Whitehat was assigned to the Tuba City District. He had served with the Navajo Division of Public Safety for one year and had previously served four years as a tribal ranger for the Navajo Resource Enforcement Division. He was survived by wife, three children, and twin brother.

Bio

Age 30
Tour 5 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Location Arizona
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Sentenced to 6 years

Impaired Driver, traffic stop, vehicle pursuit

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 18 Reflections

Loren: Thanks for serving the Navajo community, but more importantly, thanks for your sacrifice. I too have a twin brother in law enforcement and I can only imagine the grief suffered by your twin, and by those of your family. I've often worked with tribal and BIA Officers--like us, you are often enforcing the law in remote areas, without much backup. Anyway--thanks for your distinguished service, sacrifice and willingness to protect and serve.

Jim Lopey, Asst. Sheriff (ret) & NVD
Washoe County Sheriff (Reno, Nv.) & NVDPS

May 10, 2022