Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman William Brett and Policeman Harry Clester were shot and killed while transporting six subjects to the police station. The two officers had stopped a car containing the six men and decided to take them to the station for further questioning. One officer drove the suspects' car while the other officer followed behind them. During the drive the suspects shot the officer driving their car. When the other officer stopped the police car to see what happened he was shot too. Five suspects were apprehended 12 days later and the sixth committed suicide after being tracked to the desert and surrounded. Two of the suspects that were apprehended were hung at San Quentin Prison on April 21st, 1924.
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BO-US-CA-7854057B- 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.
Policeman Brett served with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Brett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman William L. Brett 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. William L. Brett's cause is highlighted.
How William L. Brett Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William L. Brett is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William L. Brett was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
239 officers from Los Angeles Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
