Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Gary Moss succumbed to injuries sustained when he and his partner were critically injured by a drunk driver that pulled out in front of them on Aviation Drive and Harper Drive in Hermosa Beach. Officer Moss and his partner were pursuing two speeding motorcycles on Aviation Drive when a car turned left in front of them. Officer Moss collided with the front right fender, and his partner hit the right passenger door. Both were thrown over the car and onto the street 90 feet away. His 28-year-old partner broke his arms, legs, clavicle, and pelvis. He spent several months in the hospital and returned numerous times for operations. He could never run again and had pain and problems walking for the rest of his life. He was forced to retire from the police department but returned to full duty three years later and retired in 2008. Officer Moss was transported to South Bay Hospital, succumbing to head injuries four days later. He donated his organs as his last act of service. The suspect was found guilty of drunk driving but acquitted of felony manslaughter. The jury said the officers were at fault because they were speeding. He never spent a day in jail and was placed on probation for driving drunk. Officer Moss had served with the Hermosa Beach Police Department for 15 months.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-408ACA04- 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
You barely got started.
Police Officer Moss gave the Hermosa Beach Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Hermosa Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Moss.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Gary Dean Moss 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gary Dean Moss's cause is highlighted.
How Gary Dean Moss Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gary Dean Moss is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gary Dean Moss was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.