Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman P.J. Downey was shot and killed by a man he had just arrested. He and his partner were investigating the recent bombing of the Los Angeles Times building and a nearby union office when they observed several men on a freight train. As they boarded the train Policeman Downey detained one as the others fled. His partner was pursuing the other suspects when the subject Policeman Downey detained began to struggle with him. The man was able to disarm him and shot him in the chest, fatally wounding him. The man, 33, was arrested a short distance away. He was convicted of Policeman Downey's murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was transferred to the state insane asylum in 1925.
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Downey gave the Los Angeles Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Downey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Patrick J. Downey 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. Patrick J. Downey's cause is highlighted.
How Patrick J. Downey Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Patrick J. Downey is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Patrick J. Downey was killed by officer's 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.
