Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Arthur Bethel succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on January 25th, 1923.
He was on patrol when he observed a vehicle that was the subject of a previous lookout following a suspicious event earlier in the evening. He stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Sixth Street and Figuera Street. He got into the backseat of the car, next to the backseat passenger, and ordered the driver to proceed to the Central Station for further questioning.
As the vehicle approached the intersection of First Street and Hope Street, the driver suddenly turned around and opened fire, striking Lieutenant Bethel three times. Despite the wounds, he was able to return fire and killed both subjects in the vehicle.
Lieutenant Bethel was taken to a local hospital where he underwent several surgeries, including the amputation of one leg and blood transfusions. His health never recovered, and he died as a direct result of the wounds on July 13th, 1941.
Lieutenant Bethel had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 11 years before medical retirement.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-97EC0D12- 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.
Lieutenant Bethel gave the Los Angeles Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Bethel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant Arthur W. Bethel 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. Arthur W. Bethel's cause is highlighted.
How Arthur W. Bethel Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arthur W. Bethel is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arthur W. Bethel was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
239 officers from Los Angeles Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
