Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Larson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a liquor store robbery suspect. The suspect, 20, and girl friend, 20, were arrested and charged with murder. On April 26, 1962, the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. His girlfriend was acquitted. On August 27, 1970, he escaped from a state prison camp at Chino. He was captured in Kansas City on October 12, 1970. On February 5, 1975, the California Court of Appeals granted him a new trial. Eight months later he was again convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. Officer Larson had served with the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety for 3 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-69297ACB- 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.
Officer Larson gave the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Larson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Gary Lee Larson 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 Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gary Lee Larson's cause is highlighted.
How Gary Lee Larson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gary Lee Larson is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gary Lee Larson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.
