Roll of Honor
Vernon Thomas Vanderpool
Incident
Sergeant Tom Vanderpool and Captain Michael Tracy were shot and killed while attending a department staff training seminar at the Holiday Inn in Torrance, California. The two officers were killed during an attempted robbery when a gunman burst into their conference room. Sergeant Vanderpool immediately lunged at the gunman and was shot. Captain Tracy was shot when he attempted to help Sergeant Vanderpool. The subject, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, choked to death on the vest while being subdued by other officers. Sergeant Vanderpool had served with the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department for 13 years and had previously served with the Los Angeles Police Department for nine years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-1167A4BC- 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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Vanderpool gave the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Palos Verdes Estates community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Vanderpool.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Vernon Thomas Vanderpool 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 Palos Verdes Estates Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Vernon Thomas Vanderpool's cause is highlighted.
How Vernon Thomas Vanderpool Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed during struggle
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Vernon Thomas Vanderpool is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Vernon Thomas Vanderpool was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Palos Verdes Estates Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
