Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Richard Pennington was shot and killed behind the police station after arresting two suspects. He off duty and riding home when he observed a car fail to stop for another officer who was directing traffic at the corner of Vernon Avenue and Santa Fe Avenue. Officer Pennington chased the suspects a short distance before they finally stopped. He advised both men they were under arrested and ordered them to follow him to the nearby police station. As Officer Pennington stepped off of his motorcycle behind the police station one of the men produced a .38 caliber handgun and shot him to death. The suspects fled the scene. On February 4th, 1946, the two men attempted to rob a bank in Los Angeles, California. The suspects became engaged in a shootout with two Los Angeles police officers. Both suspects and Officer Walter Kesterson were shot and killed during the shootout. Officer Pennington was a WWII veteran and had served with the Vernon Police Department for five months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 3-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-60562EDA- 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 Richard. 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Pennington served with the Vernon Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Vernon community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Richard H. Pennington served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Richard H. Pennington 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 Vernon Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard H. Pennington's cause is highlighted.
How Richard H. Pennington Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard H. Pennington is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard H. Pennington was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Vernon Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
