Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Gordon French was shot and killed after being taken hostage by a prisoner attempting to escape the police station.
Officer French, who was unarmed at the time, was shot while attempting to overpower the subject. The man later committed suicide.
Officer French had served with the Laguna Beach Police Department for three years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-6A3A4D02- 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 French gave the Laguna Beach Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Laguna Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer French.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Gordon G. French 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 Laguna Beach 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. Gordon G. French's cause is highlighted.
How Gordon G. French Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gordon G. French is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gordon G. French was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Laguna Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
