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Who was Morris Van Dyck Hubbard? Brave San Jose cop dies while trying to rescue woman taken hostage

Sergeant Morris Van Dyck Hubbard, who died on July 12, was the first San Jose Police Officer killed in the line of duty.

Published on: Jul 14, 2025, 13:46:08 IST
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An officer with the San Jose Police Department tragically lost his life while responding to the scene of a crime. Sergeant Morris Van Dyck Hubbard was killed on Saturday, July 12, while trying to prevent a man from forcibly taking a woman from a residence.

Who was Morris Van Dyck Hubbard?

Who was Morris Van Dyck Hubbard? Brave San Jose cop dies while trying to rescue woman taken hostage (San Jose Police Department)
Who was Morris Van Dyck Hubbard? Brave San Jose cop dies while trying to rescue woman taken hostage (San Jose Police Department)

Hubbard was a seven-year veteran serving with the San Jose Police Department. He is survived by his wife and children. Hubbard is buried at Oak Hill Memorial Cemetery, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

The San Jose Police Department “honored” Hubbard’s sacrifice, writing, “On July 12, 1924, at approximately 1820 hours, a citizen reported a man forcibly taking a female from a residence on East Julian Street. Sergeant Hubbard, a seven-year veteran, and Officer Murphy, both plain clothes detectives, responded to East Julian Street.”

“Sergeant Hubbard and Officer Murphy located the suspect and the victim at Julian and 15th Streets. Sergeant Hubbard drew his gun and ordered the suspect to surrender. The suspect turned and fired a single shot. Neither detective was struck. Sergeant Hubbard, Officer Murphy and Suspect Mays were then involved in a shootout,” the department added.

“Sergeant Hubbard was the first San Jose Police Officer killed in the line of duty,” the department wrote. “We would like to remember Sergeant Morris Van Dyck Hubbard with a moment of silence.”

San Jose, California, has witnessed quite a few crimes in recent times. On Sunday, July 13, a stabbing incident prompted a police shooting that led to the suspect’s death. The investigation is active and ongoing at the moment.

A few days ago, a 37-year-old man was gunned down after exchanging gunfire with officers, San Jose police Chief Paul Joseph said, according to NBC Bay Area. The shooting took place when cops were responding to a call reporting a man suffering from mental health issues.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sumanti Sen

Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.
Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.
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