Incident
Policeman Jerry Maddox was shot and killed as he attempted to break up a gang fight at a housing project on South Gless Street. A 16-year-old youth grabbed his service revolver and shot him through his neck. He then shot him twice in the back as he lay on the ground. The suspect was apprehended after he was shot twice in an exchange of gunfire with other officers. The suspect, who had a very lengthy juvenile record, admitted in juvenile court that he killed Officer Maddox and was sentenced to a California Youth Authority institution. But the CYA refused to accept him saying he could not be rehabilitated by the time of his mandatory release at age 21. He was released on bail while the state decided if he would be tried as an adult. On July 17, 1972, he was again jailed after being implicated in the murder of a rival gang member. After three years the decision was made to try him as an adult. On June 26, 1973, he was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to five years to life. He was acquitted of the gang member's murder. In April of 1976 the California Supreme Court decided the conviction in juvenile court and and his conviction as an adult constituted double jeopardy, and ordered his release from prison. Policeman Maddox had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 13 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and is buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-6D3F5FAC- 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
You barely got started.
Policeman Maddox gave the Los Angeles Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Maddox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Jerry Wilson Maddox 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 Police Department, 115 of 240 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jerry Wilson Maddox's cause is highlighted.
How Jerry Wilson Maddox Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1976
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jerry Wilson Maddox is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jerry Wilson Maddox was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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