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Michael Anthony Brennan
Incident
Sergeant Michael Brennan was shot and killed when he interrupted two men breaking into cars in his apartment's parking garage at 17050 Downey Avenue in Bellflower, California.
Sergeant Brennan was in uniform on his way to work when he encountered the men on the first floor of the garage shortly after 10:00 pm. He chased the men to the second level where a struggle ensued. One of the men produced a handgun and fatally shot Sergeant Brennan before stealing his off-duty revolver and fleeing.
Murder warrants were obtained and the suspect remained at large until September 16th, 1988, when he was stopped by officers with the Montebello Police Department. The man began to struggle during the arrest and was able to disarm one of the officers. Another officer shot and wounded the man and then took him into custody. He was convicted of Sergeant Brennan's murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Sergeant Brennan was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Police Department for two years. He had previously served as a law enforcement officer in Ohio for 15 years and as a Security Policeman in the U.S. Air Force for two years.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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.
Sergeant Brennan gave the United States Department of Defense 19 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Michael Anthony Brennan served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Michael is the only officer of United States Department of Defense - Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Police Department remembered here.
Michael is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1987, 6 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1987, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1987, 117 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 39. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Michael had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 39. 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. Michael had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.7% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at United States Department of Defense - Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% of these deaths.
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.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Michael Anthony Brennan served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Visit Michael Anthony Brennan’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from United States Department of Defense - Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.