Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Albert Matthies was shot and killed while checking the occupants of a car that was parked on a side street. As he approached to speak to the driver one of the passengers opened fire, killing him. Later investigation determined that the three suspects had stolen the vehicle and were preparing to rob a business when Officer Matthies approached them. The suspects were apprehended in Los Angeles two weeks later. All three suspects, ages 18, 18, and 19, were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The shooter, 18, went to Folsom Prison. He was transferred to San Quentin on December 14, 1943. He was paroled on May 1, 1944. The other two, who turned state's evidence, went to San Quentin. They were paroled on September 24, 1940. Officer Matthies was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the Arcadia Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-453DE58A- 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 Matthies gave the Arcadia Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Arcadia 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
Albert Edward Matthies served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Albert Edward Matthies 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. Albert Edward Matthies's cause is highlighted.
How Albert Edward Matthies Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1944
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Albert Edward Matthies is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Albert Edward Matthies was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.