Incident
Police Officer Anthony Giniewicz succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on February 19, 1985, during a shootout with three gang members at a local restaurant.
He and another officer had just gotten off duty and were eating at the restaurant with a dispatcher and Officer Giniewicz's wife. The other officer left the restaurant to go home but as he walked to his car he was accosted at gunpoint and robbed of his badge and service weapon.
The three gang members took the officer hostage. As they walked him into the restaurant he was able to break free and called out for help. Officer Giniewicz immediately came to his assistance, and after getting a description of the suspects, went outside. The suspects immediately opened fire on him when he came outside. He was able to return fire but was severely wounded.
He became paralyzed from the chest down as a result of his wounds and remained in poor health until passing away as a result of complications on December 7, 2011.
Officer Giniewicz had served with the Signal Hill Police Department for three years and had previously served seven years with the Massachusetts Department of Correction.
Survivors
He is survived by his son, two stepchildren, mother, and six sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-213CE1D3- 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 Anthony. 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 Giniewicz gave the Signal Hill Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Signal Hill community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Giniewicz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Anthony Alan Giniewicz 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%.
At Signal Hill Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Anthony Alan Giniewicz's cause is highlighted.
How Anthony Alan Giniewicz Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 2003
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Anthony Alan Giniewicz is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Anthony Alan Giniewicz was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Signal Hill Police Department are honored on badge.nw.