Roll of Honor
Michael Wayne Tracy
Incident
Captain Michael Tracy and Sergeant Tom Vanderpool were shot and killed while attending a department staff training seminar at the Holiday Inn in Torrance, California. The two officers were killed during an attempted robbery when a gunman burst into their conference room. Sergeant Vanderpool immediately lunged at the gunman and was shot. Captain Tracy was shot when he attempted to help Sergeant Vanderpool. The subject, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, choked to death on the vest while being subdued by other officers. Captain Tracy had served with the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department for 28 years, having begun his career as a reserve officer.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, three grandchildren, and his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-E0C96FA3- 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
28 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Tracy gave the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Palos Verdes Estates community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Tracy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Captain Michael Wayne Tracy 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 Palos Verdes Estates Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Michael Wayne Tracy's cause is highlighted.
How Michael Wayne Tracy Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed in struggle
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Wayne Tracy is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael Wayne Tracy was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Palos Verdes Estates Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
