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Incident
Officer Rippstein was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to arrest an auto-theft suspect. The officers were invited inside the home by the man's wife and were immediately fired upon by the suspect. Officer Rippstein was struck by one of the rounds and killed. His partner and other backup officers returned fire and killed the suspect. Officer Rippstein had served with the Torrance Police Department for 6 years and was the agency's first police chaplain.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Rippstein gave the Torrance Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Torrance community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Rippstein.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Torrance Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Gary is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Gary is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Gary 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 1968, 8 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1968, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1968, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gary was 29. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Gary had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gary was 29. 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. Gary had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gary was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gary had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8.2% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 15.8%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Torrance Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% 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.
His people
Torrance Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Gary among them.
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.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Torrance Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
