Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Wayne Presley was struck and killed by a drunk driver at the scene of a disabled truck. Officer Presley and his partner had just gotten back on their motorcycles when the drunk driver hit them at a high rate of speed. Officer Presley was thrown into the truck, and his partner was knocked onto the curb. His partner received major injuries but survived. A 39-year-old woman was charged with felony drunk driving and manslaughter. She was convicted of both charges, sentenced to five years probation, and fined $1,000. Officer Presley was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served in law enforcement for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-436B1998- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Presley gave the Downey Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Downey community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Wayne Richard Presley served in the Navy (1961â1972) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Wayne Richard Presley 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 Downey 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. Wayne Richard Presley's cause is highlighted.
How Wayne Richard Presley Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 5 years probation.
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wayne Richard Presley is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wayne Richard Presley was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Downey Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
