David Earle Bailey
Agency patch
Police Officer

David Earle Bailey

Los Angeles Police Department — Los Angeles, CA
Felonious
End of Watch October 21, 1977
Age 21
Badge 21939
The Vigil Panel 119 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer David Bailey succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained six days earlier when he attempted to take action during a robbery attempt while off duty in the North Rialto Shopping Center. Several juveniles approached him and a friend and displayed a firearm. As Officer Bailey took cover the subject opened fire. Officer Bailey identified himself and attempted to disarm the juvenile, but was shot in the face and thigh. The 17-year-old subject who shot him was arrested. On August 23, 1978, he was found guilty of second degree murder and sentenced to California Youth Authority for an indefinate sentence not to exceed 8 years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-F767DE2B
Stewardship
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.
Police Officer Bailey served with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bailey.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA
Platform Identity lapd.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 21, 1977
Age 21
Badge Number 21939
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Police Officer David Earle Bailey is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Los Angeles Police Department, 115 of 240 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.9% of this agency's fallen.

Los Angeles Police Department
115
of 240 officers
47.9% Felonious
CA — Statewide
974
of 1,837 officers
53% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Earle Bailey's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How David Earle Bailey Compares

Age at Death
21
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Earle Bailey is highlighted in Oct.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Earle Bailey was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location