Roll of Honor
Raymond La Forest Messer
Incident
Officer Messer was stabbed to death at the California Vocational Institution at Lancaster. Officer Messer was making bed checks when he discovered one of the inmates in possession of two knives. He was stabbed when he ordered the man to hand over the weapons. The 20-year-old inmate, serving a sentence for assault with the intent to commit rape, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. On February 4th, 1952, he strangled himself to death in his cell on San Quentin's death row.
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BO-US-CA-ABB1022C- Stewardship
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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.
Officer Messer served with the California Department of the Youth Authority.
Thank you for your service to the Sacramento community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Messer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Raymond La Forest Messer 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 California Department of the Youth Authority, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Raymond La Forest Messer's cause is highlighted.
How Raymond La Forest Messer Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Raymond La Forest Messer is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Raymond La Forest Messer was killed by edged weapon.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from California Department of the Youth Authority are honored on badge.nw.
