T. Dwight Crittenden
Incident
Deputy City Marshal Dwight Crittenden and Deputy Marshal Leon W. Romer were shot and killed while attempting to serve an eviction warrant at a home at 1741 East 23rd Street. The suspect opened fire on the two deputy marshals when he was told he would have to leave the home.
Deputy Marshal Romer was able to stumble outside, where he collapsed in the front yard. The suspect then shot Deputy Marshal Crittenden in the back as he retreated into the street to seek cover. Responding officers engaged the suspect in an hour-long gun battle, wounding him four times.
On June 1, 1938, the man, 54, was convicted of two counts of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison.
Deputy Crittenden had served with the Los Angeles City Municipal Court for 12 years.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-220A4D13- 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.
Deputy City Marshal Crittenden gave the Los Angeles City Municipal Court 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy City Marshal Crittenden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy City Marshal T. Dwight Crittenden 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 City Municipal Court, 4 of 4 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. T. Dwight Crittenden's cause is highlighted.
How T. Dwight Crittenden Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. T. Dwight Crittenden is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. T. Dwight Crittenden was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Los Angeles City Municipal Court are honored on badge.nw.


