Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Joel Davis was shot and killed during a foot pursuit of a suspect with a gun at 1615 Bay Road. Officer Davis had responded as backup to other officers on the initial call. During the foot pursuit, the suspect jumped over a fence and waited on the other side. As Officer Davis began to come over the fence he was shot in the shoulder by the subject. The man then shot him again in the head before fleeing. The suspect, 30, was eventually apprehended and sentenced to life without parole in 1991. As of December 13, 2022, he was in prison. Officer Davis served with the East Palo Alto Police Department as a full-time officer for six months and had previously served with the agency as a reserve officer for three years. He had also served as a reserve deputy with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department. He was survived by his parents and sister. A city park was renamed Joel Davis Park in his honor in August 2002.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-6B1BA663- 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.
Officer Davis served with the East Palo Alto Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the East Palo Alto community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Davis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Joel Michael Davis 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 East Palo Alto 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. Joel Michael Davis's cause is highlighted.
How Joel Michael Davis Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joel Michael Davis is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joel Michael Davis was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from East Palo Alto Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
