Incident
Detective Donald Schneider and Detective Sergeant Carl Wilson were shot and killed when they attempted to apprehend a suspect who had just murdered two people. The officers went to the man's home at 8251 Flight Avenue in Midway City after a witness was able to provide the license plate number of the fleeing car. They met an Orange County deputy at the home and then attempted to make contact with the suspect. When they went to the front door, the man opened fire with an automatic rifle, killing both deputies. The Orange County deputy watching the rear of the home shot and wounded the suspect before taking him into custody. The subject was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in 1981. Detective Schneider had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for over 16 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-B8E4D905- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Schneider gave the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Schneider.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Donald William Schneider 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 Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept., 58 of 120 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald William Schneider's cause is highlighted.
How Donald William Schneider Compares
Offender Outcome
Life sentence
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald William Schneider is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald William Schneider was killed by rifle; automatic.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
119 officers from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.















