Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Norman Eckles was shot while serving a narcotics search warrant in South Central Los Angeles on December 1st, 1983. Detective Eckles and another officer, identifying themselves as police officers, tried to enter the suspect's apartment in a surprise predawn raid. While his partner tried to force the door open, Detective Eckles broke a window as a diversionary tactic. Although Detective Eckles was wearing a bulletproof vest a bullet entered from the side, beneath his right armpit, and lodged in his spine. The wound paralyzed him from the chest down, forcing him to take a disability retirement. Detective Eckles remained active in law enforcement, frequently testifying from his wheelchair as an expert in narcotics cases. He also served as a police consultant, lecturing officers on safety and survival. He died from complications of the wound on April 20th, 1989. The subject who shot him was convicted in 1985 of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter and one count of assault with a firearm. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Detective Eckles had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for just under 19 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, and three grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-473904AD- 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 Norman. 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.
Detective Eckles gave the Los Angeles Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Eckles.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Norman R. Eckles 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 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. Norman R. Eckles's cause is highlighted.
How Norman R. Eckles Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 22 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Norman R. Eckles is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Norman R. Eckles was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
239 officers from Los Angeles Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
