Officer Daniel Stephen Dan Bessant was 25 when he was killed on December 20, 2006, while responding to a routine traffic stop in the northeast part of Oceanside, California. The shooting happened about 6:20 p.m. as he arrived to assist Officer Karina Pina; shots were fired from roughly 70 to 100 yards and a single bullet struck Bessant in the left armpit, an area not protected by his vest. He was airlifted to Scripps Hospital in La Jolla but did not survive.

Investigators arrested several suspects. A 17-year-old initially confessed; others were also charged. Meki Gaono, 17 at the time, was convicted of first-degree murder and given life without parole plus 61 years. Penifoti Taeotui and Gaono received life terms without parole, and Jose Compre later pleaded guilty to felony manslaughter and got 25 years. Gaono has sought transfer to juvenile court under changes in state law, with hearings addressing rehabilitation and the shooting’s gang-related aspects.

Bessant is commemorated locally: his name appears on fallen-officer memorials, a bridge in Oceanside was renamed for him, and an annual run is held in his honor. If anyone knew Officer Bessant or has information about the shooting, please come forward.