Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Fred Early succumbed to injuries from a gunshot wound when he was shot by a robbery suspect on September 9, 1972. Policeman Early was off duty when he observed a burglary in progress. He went to a phone booth to call in the crime when he was confronted by the suspect(s) and shot while he was on the phone. He survived the shooting, but not without complications. In the months that passed, he suffered blackouts and other symptoms. While undergoing treatment at UCLA Medical Center, he sustained irreversible brain damage and never recovered from the procedures. He died from his injuries six months after the shooting. In March 1998, the Los Angeles City Council approved a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of suspect(s) in the shooting of Policeman Early.
Survivors
He was survived by his four daughters, mother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-C49B4C23- 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.
Policeman Early served with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Early.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Fred H. Early 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. Fred H. Early's cause is highlighted.
How Fred H. Early Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred H. Early is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred H. Early 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.
