Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer David Romero was killed when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle being driven by a driver under the influence of narcotics.
Officer Romero was on patrol on his department motorcycle when he stopped for a red light at the corner of Turnbull Canyon Road and Valley Boulevard in the City of Industry. While waiting at the light, a vehicle approached from behind at a high rate of speed. Officer Romero noticed that the vehicle was approaching and attempted to gain the attention of the driver by waving his arms and turning on his emergency lights. The driver was unable to stop and struck the rear of Officer Romero's motorcycle, throwing Officer Romero to the ground. The vehicle then struck another vehicle.
Officer Romero was taken to Los Angeles Medical Center where he died from his injuries.
The driver of the vehicle that struck Officer Romero was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
Officer Romero had served with the California Highway Patrol for 23 years and was assigned to the Santa Fe Springs Station. He is survived by his wife, three children, and two stepchildren. He is buried in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Whittier, California.
Officer Romero was on patrol on his department motorcycle when he stopped for a red light at the corner of Turnbull Canyon Road and Valley Boulevard in the City of Industry. While waiting at the light, a vehicle approached from behind at a high rate of speed. Officer Romero noticed that the vehicle was approaching and attempted to gain the attention of the driver by waving his arms and turning on his emergency lights. The driver was unable to stop and struck the rear of Officer Romero's motorcycle, throwing Officer Romero to the ground. The vehicle then struck another vehicle.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three children, and two stepchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-51D10C51- 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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Officer Romero gave the California Highway Patrol 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Romero.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer David Marin Romero 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 California Highway Patrol, 71 of 233 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Marin Romero's cause is highlighted.
How David Marin Romero Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Marin Romero is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Marin Romero was killed by automobile; narcotics involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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