Prev Next

Policeman

Vernon Oliver Dinsmore

Los Angeles Police Department — Los Angeles, CA

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch November 4, 1922

Age 25

Tour of Duty 8 mo

The Vigil Panel 104 · Column 2 · Line 13 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Military Memorials 1 Also Remembered Department 239

Incident

Policeman Vernon Dinsmore was shot and killed at 817 East Third Street by a subject he had arrested for stealing bottles of milk from a nearby wagon. A special officer had observed the man stealing the milk at the corner of First Street and Central Avenue. As the man ran from the special officer, Officer Dinsmore intercepted him at East Third Street. After being arrested, the man asked for and was given permission to get money from his boarding room at 817 East Third Street. Policeman Dinsmore escorted him to his boarding room to retrieve the money. The man suddenly pulled a handgun from his dresser and a violent struggle ensued between the two. The man was able to fatally shot Policeman Dinsmore before fleeing the scene. The subject was arrested a short time later in the Santa Fe Railroad yards as he attempted to leave the city. He was convicted of Policeman Dinsmore's murder and was hung at San Quentin Prison on September 10th, 1926. Policeman Dinsmore was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for eight months.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: neuraspine_01krbxtmt9w80dhhawyx3w9647
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Vernon. Claim this record.

Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Vernon is one person.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Policeman Dinsmore served with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Los Angeles Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA

Platform Identity lapd.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 4, 1922

Tour of Duty 8 mo

Age 25

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Military Service

Vernon Oliver Dinsmore served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Vernon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Vernon was 25. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Vernon had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded