Leon William Romer

Los Angeles City Municipal Court — Los Angeles, CA

Felonious

End of Watch February 17, 1938

Age 61

The Vigil Panel 74 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Deputy City Marshal Leon Romer and Deputy City Marshal Dwight Crittenden were shot and killed while attempting to serve an eviction warrant at a home at 1741 East 23rd Street. The suspect opened fire on the two deputy marshals when he was told he would have to leave the home.

Deputy Marshal Romer was able to stumble outside, where he collapsed in the front yard. The suspect then shot Deputy Marshal Crittenden in the back as he retreated into the street to seek cover. Responding officers engaged the suspect in an hour-long gun battle, wounding him four times.

On June 1, 1938, the man, 54, was convicted of two counts of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison.

Deputy City Marshal Romer would be deputized to back up Deputy City Crittendon during eviction notices.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-836949FA
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 City Marshal Romer served with the Los Angeles City Municipal Court.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy City Marshal Romer.

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

Agency

Department Los Angeles City Municipal Court

Location Los Angeles, CA

Platform Identity lac.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 17, 1938

Age 61

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Rifle

Offender Sentenced to 20 years

Deputy City Marshal Leon William Romer 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 City Municipal Court, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Los Angeles City Municipal Court

of 4 officers

100% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious