Incident
Deputy City Marshal Samuel Blundell was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance on Franklyn Avenue near Santa Fe Avenue.
He had encountered a drunk man walking in city's Italian area and advised him to walk around for 30 minutes to sober up. A short time later the man was robbed and other members of the community gave an alarm. As Deputy Marshal Blundell responded to the scene a homeowner came out of his home with a double-barreled shotgun and confronted the victim of the robbery.
As Deputy Marshal Blundell approached he displayed his badge and identified himself, but the homeowner opened fire, killing him.
The man was arrested at his home after a brief barricade. He was subsequently charged with murder but acquitted of all charges in court.
Deputy Marshal Blundell had served with the Vernon Police Department several years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and one child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-A144B271- 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 Blundell gave the Vernon Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Vernon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy City Marshal Blundell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy City Marshal Samuel Blundell 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 Vernon Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel Blundell's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel Blundell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Blundell is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Vernon Police Department are honored on badge.nw.

