Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Ronald Wise was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a man for child abuse. A patrol officer responded to an apartment at 2216 4th Street to investigate a report of child abuse. When he arrived he found a badly bruised and semi-conscious 3-year-old child. The officer requested that Sergeant Wise respond to the scene to assist in the arrest of the belligerent father. When Sergeant Wise arrived, the suspect shot him twice in the stomach. Other officers at the scene returned fire and wounded the subject, who was then arrested. Sergeant Wise was taken to Santa Monica Hospital where he died from his wounds the next day. The subject was convicted of second-degree murder and served only seven years in prison. Sergeant Wise had served with the agency for nine years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-6089E75E- 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.
Sergeant Wise gave the Santa Monica Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Monica community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Wise.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Ronald A. Wise 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 Santa Monica Police Department, 1 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 16.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ronald A. Wise's cause is highlighted.
How Ronald A. Wise Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ronald A. Wise is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ronald A. Wise was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Santa Monica Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
