Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Sergeant Tommy Milton was shot and killed after responding to a home on Vesper Avenue after neighbors had called police to report the homeowner was armed and threatening his family. The man had previously threatened to kill his family. After arriving on scene Sergeant Milton and another detective attempted to talk to the man, who was armed with a revolver. As Sergeant Milton attempted to disarm the man the two began to struggle and the man was able to shoot him. Despite being mortally wounded, Sergeant Milton returned fire and killed the subject. Sergeant Milton died while while en route to the Van Nuys Receiving Hospital. Sergeant Milton had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 21 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, sister, and four brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-8A96DD2C- 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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Sergeant Milton gave the Los Angeles Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Milton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Sergeant John William Milton 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. John William Milton's cause is highlighted.
How John William Milton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John William Milton is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John William Milton was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
239 officers from Los Angeles Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
