Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Michael McDonald was shot and killed by a man holding another man hostage at the Crystal Palace Market at Eighth Street and Market Street in San Francisco. A few days earlier, a wealthy retired banker, answering a knock at his door, suddenly found himself at the mercy of a man standing there with a gun. For the next few days, the suspect marched his victim from bank to bank, forcing him to withdraw funds. As they went into a market to get some food, the victim saw Officer McDonald coming toward them and shouted, "Get that man; he's got a gun," and then started running simultaneously. Officer McDonald drew his gun as the suspect drew his gun, and the suspect shot him three times. He was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds the next morning. The suspect ran from the market and engaged in a gun battle with two officers on Mission Street near 8th Street, where he was shot to death. An innocent bystander was also wounded in the volley of gunfire. Officer McDonald was survived by his wife and six children. He is buried at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetary in Colma, California.
Survivors
Officer McDonald was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-7AE039D2- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Michael. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer McDonald served with the San Francisco Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Francisco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer McDonald.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Michael J. McDonald 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 San Francisco Police Department, 66 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael J. McDonald's cause is highlighted.
How Michael J. McDonald Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael J. McDonald is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael J. McDonald was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from San Francisco Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
