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Incident
Night Watchman Frank Toal was shot and killed while confronting a drunk man who was waving a gun inside of a saloon on lower Georgia Street at approximately 1:15 am.
The man had been in the bar and went home to retrieve a revolver after having been insulted by another patron. He was waving the gun around when Watchman Toal heard the commotion and entered the bar.
He began to retreat out of the saloon as the subject confronted him. The two exchanged shots, and both were mortally wounded. Watchman Toal was taken inside of the saloon where he died. The man who shot him was operated on later in the day but died as a result.
Watchman Toal had been a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, a group that originated with the dedication to end the tyranny of the British monarchy.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
130 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Night Watchman Toal gave the Vallejo Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Vallejo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Vallejo Police Department has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1896, 1 officer at Vallejo Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1966, with 2.
In 1896, 2 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 128th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1896, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1896, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 35. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Vallejo Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 43; the middle age was 35. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Frank was 35. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 35. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 20% of these deaths at Vallejo Police Department; April holds the most, 60%. Wednesdays: 40%.
September holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Vallejo Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Vallejo Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Vallejo Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
