Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff George Van Vliet was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a husband and wife who were wanted in connection with the murders of Chief of Detectives John Rowan, of the Colorado Springs Police Department, Colorado, and Policeman Luther McMahill, of the Denver Police Department, Colorado. Deputy Van Vliet and his partner were staking out a service station near the U.S. Army's Ross Field, in Arcadia, when the suspects arrived at the scene. When the deputies called on them to surrender the husband opened fire using a pistol concealed in a hidden pocket. The first round struck Deputy Van Vliet, killing him. The other deputy shot and killed both offenders during a prolonged shootout in which the deputy used every round of ammunition he had. He killed the husband using his last shotgun shell.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-CA-9EC8F841- Stewardship
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- 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 Sheriff Van Vliet served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Van Vliet.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff George W. Van Vliet 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 County Sheriff's Dept., 58 of 120 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George W. Van Vliet's cause is highlighted.
How George W. Van Vliet Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George W. Van Vliet is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George W. Van Vliet was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
119 officers from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
