Michael T. Anaya

San Diego Police Dept. — San Diego, CA

Felonious

End of Watch April 11, 1979

Age 25

Tour of Duty 9 mo

The Vigil Panel 121 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 37

Incident

Patrolman Michael Anaya was shot and killed after a man high on PCP gained control of his weapon in the 4100 block of Altadena Avenue. He had responded to a call of a man attacking his family with a knife. During a struggle, the suspect gained control of Patrolman Anaya's weapon and shot him. He then shot and killed himself. Patrolman Anaya was paralyzed from the neck down until he succumbed to his injuries three weeks later. Patrolman Anaya had served with the San Diego Police Department for nine months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-04D944E3
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.
Patrolman Anaya served with the San Diego Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Anaya.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department San Diego Police Dept.

Location San Diego, CA

Platform Identity sdpd.sandiego.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 11, 1979

Tour of Duty 9 mo

Age 25

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Committed suicide

Patrolman Michael T. Anaya 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 San Diego Police Dept., 27 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.1% of this agency's fallen.

San Diego Police Dept.

of 38 officers

71.1% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious