Incident
Police Officer Keith Boyer was shot and killed as he and another officer investigated an accident near the intersection of Colima Road and Mar Vista Street.
Unbeknownst to the officers, the vehicle that caused the crash was stolen and being driven by a gang member who had just been paroled. The parolee had just committed another murder hours earlier. As Officer Boyer attempted to conduct a pat down on the subject, the man suddenly pulled a handgun from his waistband and opened fire. Officer Boyer was killed and a second officer was wounded. Despite the wounds, the officers returned fire and wounded the subject.
Officer Boyer was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
Officer Boyer had served with the Whittier Police Department for 27 years and was preparing to retire.
Survivors
He is survived by three adult children, mother, and stepfather.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-C8E0C277- 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
27 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Boyer gave the Whittier Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Whittier community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Boyer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Keith Wayne Boyer 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 Whittier Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Keith Wayne Boyer's cause is highlighted.
How Keith Wayne Boyer Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and wounded
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Keith Wayne Boyer is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Keith Wayne Boyer was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Whittier Police Department are honored on badge.nw.


