Incident
Detective Robert Endler and Detective Sergeant Charles Monaghan were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a forgery suspect. Another officer was tasked to go next door to the Sears Department Store and pick up the suspect. He asked the detectives to help him. The suspect had not been searched or handcuffed by the store security personnel. As the three officers approached, he called out, Oh, here they are, are you the police? Someone replied they were, and he drew a revolver and fired five rounds at the trio of officers, killing Detectives Endler and Monaghan. The other officer was wounded but returned fire. The suspect escaped the police dragnet that night but was captured later. He then escaped from prison and fled to Mexico. He was later returned to the U.S. and was sentenced to prison, where he eventually died in 1996. Detective Endler was a U.S Navy veteran of WWII and served with the Los Angeles Police Department for less than 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-6FA0B238- 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.
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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.
Detective Endler gave the Los Angeles Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles 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
Robert M. Endler served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Detective Robert M. Endler 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. Robert M. Endler's cause is highlighted.
How Robert M. Endler Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert M. Endler is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert M. Endler was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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