Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Rippstein was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to arrest an auto-theft suspect. The officers were invited inside the home by the man's wife and were immediately fired upon by the suspect. Officer Rippstein was struck by one of the rounds and killed. His partner and other backup officers returned fire and killed the suspect. Officer Rippstein had served with the Torrance Police Department for 6 years and was the agency's first police chaplain.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-7D8E75C9- 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 Rippstein gave the Torrance Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Torrance community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Rippstein.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Gary Elton Rippstein 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 Torrance Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gary Elton Rippstein's cause is highlighted.
How Gary Elton Rippstein Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gary Elton Rippstein is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gary Elton Rippstein was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Torrance Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
