Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Steven Gajda died on January 1, 1998, after being shot in the head while assigned to stop people from shooting guns in the air on New Year's Eve. He and other officers stopped at a party that seemed out of control to issue a warning. While they were approaching several gang members, the gang members fled and were pursued by the officers. Officer Gajda chased one man who appeared to have a weapon in his waistband and was shot in the ensuing struggle. Two officers on the scene returned fire, killing the 17-year-old suspect who had been wanted for murder since March of 1997. Officer Gajda had served in law enforcement for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-772A4877- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer II Gajda gave the Los Angeles Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer II Gajda.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer II Steven Gerald Gajda 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. Steven Gerald Gajda's cause is highlighted.
How Steven Gerald Gajda Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed by other officers
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Steven Gerald Gajda is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Steven Gerald Gajda was killed by handgun; .25 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.
