David Alan Powell
Deputy Sheriff

David Alan Powell

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. — Monterey Park, CA
Felonious
End of Watch November 30, 2002
Age 42
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
The Vigil Panel 150 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff David Powell was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to reports of gunshots near 166th Street and Elaine Avenue in Artesia at about 10:30 am.

When the officers arrived, they observed a man run into a home and take a woman hostage. As Deputy Powell attempted to kick the door open, the man fired two shots from inside. One of the rounds struck Deputy Powell in the right arm, passed through the opening in his vest, and entered his chest. Deputy Powell's partner returned fire and dragged Deputy Powell to his patrol car. He then drove Deputy Powell one block away where he was met by paramedics.

Deputy Powell was transported to St. Francis Medical Center where he succumbed to his wound 90 minutes after the shooting. The subject was shot and killed by responding officers.

Deputy Powell had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 18 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, four daughters, parents, brother, and seven grandchildren.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-5B398C6D
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.
Deputy Sheriff Powell gave the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Powell.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Monterey Park, CA
Platform Identity lacso.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 30, 2002
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
Age 42
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .380 caliber
Offender Shot and killed

Deputy Sheriff David Alan Powell 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 Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept., 58 of 120 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.3% of this agency's fallen.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.
58
of 120 officers
48.3% Felonious
CA — Statewide
974
of 1,837 officers
53% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Alan Powell's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How David Alan Powell Compares

Age at End of Watch
42
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
18
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Alan Powell is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Alan Powell was killed by handgun; .380 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location