James C. Costello
Agency patch
Policeman

James C. Costello

Los Angeles Police Department — Los Angeles, CA
Felonious
End of Watch March 31, 1930
Age 27
Tour of Duty 6 yrs 2 mo
The Vigil Panel 59 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Policeman James Costello was shot and killed as he and his partner made a traffic stop at the intersection of Seventh Street and Lucas Street. When Policeman Costello made contact with the driver the man pulled a gun. As Policeman Costello backed away his partner and the suspect exchanged shots. Policeman Costello was shot in the chest during the exchange. The man fled the scene but was arrested the following day with a gunshot wound to his knee. He was charged with first degree murder but was acquitted at trial. He was later convicted of possession of a blackjack and robbery and sentenced to five years to life. Policeman Costello had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for six years.

Survivors

He was survived by his mother.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Costello gave the Los Angeles Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Costello.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA
Platform Identity lapd.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 31, 1930
Tour of Duty 6 yrs 2 mo
Age 27
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 27. 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. James had served 6.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Los Angeles Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, James among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Policeman James C. Costello

Los Angeles Police Department · End of Watch March 31, 1930

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E

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