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Vernon Thomas Vanderpool
Incident
Sergeant Tom Vanderpool and Captain Michael Tracy were shot and killed while attending a department staff training seminar at the Holiday Inn in Torrance, California. The two officers were killed during an attempted robbery when a gunman burst into their conference room. Sergeant Vanderpool immediately lunged at the gunman and was shot. Captain Tracy was shot when he attempted to help Sergeant Vanderpool. The subject, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, choked to death on the vest while being subdued by other officers. Sergeant Vanderpool had served with the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department for 13 years and had previously served with the Los Angeles Police Department for nine years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
21 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Vanderpool gave the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Palos Verdes Estates community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Vanderpool.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Palos Verdes Estates Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Vernon is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Vernon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Vernon is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1994, 10 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Vernon was 57. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Vernon had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Vernon was 57. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Vernon had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Vernon was 57. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Vernon had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Palos Verdes Estates Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 22.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Palos Verdes Estates Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Vernon among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Palos Verdes Estates Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
