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Incident
Police Officer Albert Matthies was shot and killed while checking the occupants of a car that was parked on a side street. As he approached to speak to the driver one of the passengers opened fire, killing him. Later investigation determined that the three suspects had stolen the vehicle and were preparing to rob a business when Officer Matthies approached them. The suspects were apprehended in Los Angeles two weeks later. All three suspects, ages 18, 18, and 19, were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The shooter, 18, went to Folsom Prison. He was transferred to San Quentin on December 14, 1943. He was paroled on May 1, 1944. The other two, who turned state's evidence, went to San Quentin. They were paroled on September 24, 1940. Officer Matthies was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the Arcadia Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Albert is one person.
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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.
Police Officer Matthies gave the Arcadia Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Arcadia 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Albert Edward Matthies served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Albert is the only officer of Arcadia Police Department remembered here.
Albert is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Albert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Albert 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 1927, 9 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Albert was 27. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Albert had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Albert was 27. 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. Albert had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Albert was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Albert had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 12%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Arcadia 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.
Military Service
Albert Edward Matthies served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Albert Edward Matthies’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Arcadia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.