Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman James Beck succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier while responding to a domestic disturbance at 2053½ Dayton Avenue. A male subject returned to Los Angeles from San Francisco and had gone to his common-law wife's home to demand custody of their 18-month-old child. When the woman refused to open the door the male subject broke it down. As Policeman Beck and his partner arrived at the location the subject approached their car and began firing into it before either officer could exit the vehicle. Policeman Beck was struck twice but was able to return fire and wounded the subject, before the man fled the scene in a stolen vehicle. Policeman Beck was transported to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wounds three days later. His killer, 29, turned himself in a short time after the shooting. He was convicted of five felony charges, including Policeman Beck's murder, and sentenced to life in prison on April 28, 1931. Policeman Beck had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for six years.
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- 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.
Policeman Beck gave the Los Angeles Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Beck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman James L. Beck 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James L. Beck's cause is highlighted.
How James L. Beck Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James L. Beck is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James L. Beck was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
239 officers from Los Angeles Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
