Michael D. Avila
Agency patch
Patrolman

Michael D. Avila

Parlier Police Department — Parlier, CA
Felonious
End of Watch November 15, 1981
Age 37
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
The Vigil Panel 125 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Michael Avila was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to a bar to investigate reports of two men with guns. As they were trying to disarm one of the suspects, Patrolman Avila was shot by the second suspect. Patrolman Avila's partner, who was also shot and wounded, returned fire killing the shooter. Patrolman Avila had served with the Parlier Police Department for eight years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and four daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-93FD6739
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.
Patrolman Avila gave the Parlier Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Parlier community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Avila.

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

Agency

Location Parlier, CA
Platform Identity ppd.fresno.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 15, 1981
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 37
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun; .25 caliber
Offender Shot and killed

Patrolman Michael D. Avila 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%.

Parlier Police Department
1
of 1 officers
100% Felonious
CA — Statewide
974
of 1,837 officers
53% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael D. Avila's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Michael D. Avila Compares

Age at End of Watch
37
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
8
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael D. Avila is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael D. Avila was killed by handgun; .25 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518