Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Police Officer

Andrew W. Farthing

Montclair Police Department — Montclair, CA

Felonious

End of Watch June 18, 1961

Age 27

The Vigil Panel 96 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Officer Farthing was beaten to death by an 18-year-old youth when he and three other officers went to the suspect's home at 4790 Fauna Street in Montclair to break up teenage party neighbors were complaining about. On November 2, 1961, the suspect was acquitted after a jury ruled that he was justified in beating the officer to death because he entered his home without a search warrant. Officer Farthing had served with the Montclair Police Department for three years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and five-year-old son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-01FEAD44
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Andrew. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Farthing served with the Montclair Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Montclair community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Farthing.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Montclair Police Department

Location Montclair, CA

Platform Identity mpd.sanbern.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 18, 1961

Age 27

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's nightstick

Offender Acquitted

Police Officer Andrew W. Farthing is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

Montclair Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Andrew W. Farthing's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Andrew W. Farthing Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Acquitted

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Andrew W. Farthing is highlighted in Jun.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Andrew W. Farthing was killed by officer's nightstick.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518