Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Dan Niemi was shot and killed in an ambush attack while investigating a disturbance call on Doolittle Drive.
Officer Niemi responded to Doolittle Drive at 11:00 pm for the second time that day. As Officer Niemi spoke to some of the residents, a man drove up to the scene and engaged Officer Niemi in conversation. Without warning, the man produced a handgun and shot Officer Niemi several times, killing him.
The suspect fled the scene on foot and was apprehended the next day. He was convicted in May 2007 of first-degree murder for Officer Niemi's murder and subsequently sentenced to death.
Officer Niemi had served with the San Leandro Police Department for 3 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-53E3363C- 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 Niemi gave the San Leandro Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Leandro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Niemi.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Nels Daniel "Dan" Niemi 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 San Leandro Police Dept., 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nels Daniel "Dan" Niemi's cause is highlighted.
How Nels Daniel "Dan" Niemi Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nels Daniel "Dan" Niemi is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nels Daniel "Dan" Niemi was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from San Leandro Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
