Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Clyde May was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect at Adams and San Pedro streets. He and his partner had stopped and dismounted their bicycles to question a man they found out on the street after midnight. As Policeman May attempted to stop him from fleeing, the man jerked loose and fired a shot, hitting Policeman May. As he ran, he took aim at Policeman May's partner, who fired first, killing him. Policeman May had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife of one month, his mother, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-F0E9A291- 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
You barely got started.
Policeman May gave the Los Angeles Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman May.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Clyde A. May 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. Clyde A. May's cause is highlighted.
How Clyde A. May Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed by another officer
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clyde A. May is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clyde A. May 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.
