Roll of Honor
Incident
Reserve Officer Don Bacon was killed when his patrol car was rear-ended by a drunk driver at the intersection of Compton Boulevard (modern day Gardena Boulevard) and Western Avenue. Officer Bacon was riding in the rear seat of the patrol car at the time it was struck. The two cars fused together and slid 180 feet from the intersection. The driver's speed was estimated to be over 70 mph. The 24-year-old drunk driver, who had no license as a result of two prior drunk driving convictions, was convicted of drunk driving and felony manslaughter and sentenced to one to 10 years. Reserve Officer Bacon had just graduated from the police academy and was awaiting a position as a full time officer.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-9745C7B6- 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.
Reserve Officer Bacon served with the Gardena Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Gardena community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Officer Bacon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Reserve Officer Donald Eugene "Don" Bacon 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 Gardena Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald Eugene "Don" Bacon's cause is highlighted.
How Donald Eugene "Don" Bacon Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald Eugene "Don" Bacon is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald Eugene "Don" Bacon was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Gardena Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
