John G. Magness
Agency patch
Policeman

John G. Magness

Los Angeles Police Department — Los Angeles, CA
Accident
End of Watch May 21, 1920
The Vigil Panel 39 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective John Magness succumbed to injuries he received in a vehicle crash at West Adams Boulevard and South Grand Avenue in Los Angeles.

Detective Magness was riding in the front seat of the police ambulance when the driver of another vehicle crashed into them. He was transported to White Memorial Hospital, where he passed away from his injuries six days later.

Detective Magness had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for over five years. His great-grandson also served with the agency.

Survivors

Survivors include his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-232009A3
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.
Policeman Magness served with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Magness.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Los Angeles, CA
Platform Identity lapd.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 21, 1920
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

Policeman John G. Magness is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In CA, 719 of 1,837 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 39.1% of this state's fallen. That is 8.1 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.

At Los Angeles Police Department, 97 of 240 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 40.4% of this agency's fallen.

Los Angeles Police Department
97
of 240 officers
40.4% Accident
CA — Statewide
719
of 1,837 officers
39.1% Accident
Nationwide
10,088
of 32,508 officers
31% Accident

National Cause Distribution

How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John G. Magness's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How John G. Magness Compares

When Accident Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. John G. Magness is highlighted in May.

Jan
820
Feb
730
Mar
748
Apr
707
May
847
Jun
795
Jul
897
Aug
937
Sep
913
Oct
925
Nov
872
Dec
897

Incident Location