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Incident
Officer Joel Davis was shot and killed during a foot pursuit of a suspect with a gun at 1615 Bay Road. Officer Davis had responded as backup to other officers on the initial call. During the foot pursuit, the suspect jumped over a fence and waited on the other side. As Officer Davis began to come over the fence he was shot in the shoulder by the subject. The man then shot him again in the head before fleeing. The suspect, 30, was eventually apprehended and sentenced to life without parole in 1991. As of December 13, 2022, he was in prison. Officer Davis served with the East Palo Alto Police Department as a full-time officer for six months and had previously served with the agency as a reserve officer for three years. He had also served as a reserve deputy with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department. He was survived by his parents and sister. A city park was renamed Joel Davis Park in his honor in August 2002.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and sister.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Officer Davis served with the East Palo Alto Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the East Palo Alto community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Davis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
East Palo Alto Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Joel is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Joel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joel is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1988, 8 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1988, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1988, 105 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 58th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joel was 26. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Joel had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joel was 26. 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. Joel had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joel was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joel had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at East Palo Alto Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
East Palo Alto Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Joel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from East Palo Alto Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
