Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William MacLean was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man for writing bad checks. He was on traffic duty at the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Pine Avenue when a citizen ran up to him, pointed out the suspect, and yelled that the man was wanted for forgery. Patrolman MacLean chased the man one block into a hotel room on East 1st Street where the suspect shot him three times. The suspect then ran out into the street, stole an automobile from a woman, and escaped. On April 14th, 1935, the 30-year-old suspect was captured after a spectacular chase, during which he was shot, on the downtown streets of Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was convicted of first degree murder on May 25th, 1935, and sentenced to life. He was paroled on October 10th, 1955.
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BO-US-CA-B2BF33A8- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman MacLean served with the Long Beach Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Long Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman MacLean.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William J. MacLean 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 97,772 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 Long Beach Police Department, 13 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 46.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William J. MacLean's cause is highlighted.
How William J. MacLean Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. MacLean is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. MacLean was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Long Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
