Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Policeman

Roland E. White

Los Angeles Police Department — Los Angeles, CA

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch May 11, 1950

Age 26

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Badge 5049

The Vigil Panel 86 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 239

Incident

Policeman Roland White succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 9 days earlier after he and his partner responded to a breaking and entering call on East 110th Street. Upon arrival, they were informed that a woman had come to the home, which belonged to her sister, to seek refuge for her and her two children from her drunk husband. The husband had followed her to the home and attempted to kick in the door, but left when he was unsuccessful. The woman informed the officers that her husband was likely at a tavern at the intersection of 109th Street and Avalon Boulevard. The officers went to the location and located the man in a phone booth in the back of the tavern. They requested that he accompany them outside, and he agreed to go. As they started to walk towards the door, the man suddenly produced a .45 caliber handgun and ordered the officers to drop their weapons. Policeman White attempted to lunge for the man, but the suspect opened fire, striking him in the abdomen five times. One round also struck Policeman White's partner in the leg. The man fled as the bartender returned fire, using one of the officers' service weapons. Policeman White's partner was able to crawl to his patrol car and radio for help. A massive manhunt located the man hiding in a service station a short time later. After a brief standoff, the man exited the service station and then fatally shot himself in the chest. Policeman White was a United States Navy WWII veteran and had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for three years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-EACD96C0
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Roland. Claim this record.

Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Roland is one person.

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.
Policeman White gave the Los Angeles Police Department 3 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

Department Los Angeles Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA

Platform Identity lapd.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 11, 1950

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 26

Badge Number 5049

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Military Service

Roland E. White served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Policeman Roland E. White 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 97,759 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.

Los Angeles Police Department

115

of 240 officers

47.9% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,759 officers

0% Felonious