Roll of Honor
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
- 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.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Roland E. White served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Policeman Roland E. White 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. Roland E. White's cause is highlighted.
How Roland E. White Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roland E. White is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roland E. White was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
239 officers from Los Angeles Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
