Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Robert Birdsall was shot and killed while searching for a suspect wanted for armed robbery, kidnapping, attempted sexual assault, and attempted murder. Officer Birdsall and his partner responded to the call of a female who had been kidnapped but managed to escape. While searching for the suspect, Officer Birdsall was investigating dogs barking in the field near 23rd Street and Orange Avenue in the city of Signal Hill shortly before midnight. The suspect jumped out of his hiding spot and fired multiple shots, striking Officer Birdsall in the chest. Officer Birdsall was able to return fire at the fleeing suspect before falling. Officer Birdsall was transported to St. Mary's Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. The suspect was apprehended a few hours later after exchanging several shots with other officers. The man, 24, an unemployed transient with a criminal record, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death on May 5th, 1976. His sentence was later commuted to life. He was denied parole in 1996. Officer Birdsall was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Long Beach Police Department for 13 years. He was survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter. One of his sons became a Long Beach Police Officer. On October 15, 1996, he got to see his father's killer face-to-face for the first time and speak his peace to him and the parole board. His parole was denied.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-E47922FC- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Birdsall gave the Long Beach Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Long Beach community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert R. Birdsall served in the Air Force (1952â1956) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Robert R. Birdsall 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 Long Beach Police Department, 13 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 46.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert R. Birdsall's cause is highlighted.
How Robert R. Birdsall Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert R. Birdsall is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert R. Birdsall was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Long Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
