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James L. Beck
Agency patch
Policeman

James L. Beck

Los Angeles Police Department — Los Angeles, CA
Felonious
United States flag California flag
End of Watch January 28, 1931
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
The Vigil Panel 61 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 239

Incident

Policeman James Beck succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier while responding to a domestic disturbance at 2053½ Dayton Avenue. A male subject returned to Los Angeles from San Francisco and had gone to his common-law wife's home to demand custody of their 18-month-old child. When the woman refused to open the door the male subject broke it down. As Policeman Beck and his partner arrived at the location the subject approached their car and began firing into it before either officer could exit the vehicle. Policeman Beck was struck twice but was able to return fire and wounded the subject, before the man fled the scene in a stolen vehicle. Policeman Beck was transported to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wounds three days later. His killer, 29, turned himself in a short time after the shooting. He was convicted of five felony charges, including Policeman Beck's murder, and sentenced to life in prison on April 28, 1931. Policeman Beck had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for six years.

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August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Beck gave the Los Angeles Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Beck.

— 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 January 28, 1931
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Los Angeles Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, James among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Policeman James L. Beck

Los Angeles Police Department · End of Watch January 28, 1931

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-W

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