Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer David Jack was shot and killed while patrolling the Los Angeles Dispatch Center at 107 S. Broadway in Los Angeles. His body was discovered in an officer's doorway with a gunshot wound to his head. His revolver was still holstered, indicating he had been ambushed. On December 2, 1974, a man, 22, was arrested in Inglewood for carrying a concealed weapon. A ballistics test on the .38 caliber revolver he had revealed it belonged to Los Angeles Police Officer James C. Van Pelt, 39. A week earlier a burglary suspect shot and critically him after he wrested the gun from him. It was also the same gun used to kill Officer Jack. More investigation revealed three days before he shot Officer Van Pelt, he attacked a 19-year-old woman with a machete leaving her in critical condition. Three days earlier he used the same gun to shoot a man, 57, leaving him in serious condition. The suspect was charged with murder and three counts of attempted murder. The woman, 19, never recovered. She lost her sight in both eyes, was permanently disfigured, and was confined to a wheel chair for the rest of her life. Officer Van Pelt recovered. On July 7, 1975, the suspect was convicted of second degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, and sentenced to 22 years to life. Much to the horror of many he was paroled in September of 1985. He was back in prison 13 months later for violating his paroled. He was released again on January 18, 1989. Officer Jack had served with the California State Police for only seven months.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-3A1DF230- 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.
Police Officer Jack served with the California State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Jack.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer David Arthur Jack 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 California State Police, 1 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 20% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Arthur Jack's cause is highlighted.
How David Arthur Jack Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Arthur Jack is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Arthur Jack was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from California State Police are honored on badge.nw.
