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Incident
Officer David Kohler was killed in a motorcycle crash when a car pulled out in front of him at the intersection of Cloverfield Boulevard and Michigan Avenue while he was on patrol. Officer Kohler had served with the Santa Monica Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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 Kohler gave the Santa Monica Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Monica community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Kohler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Santa Monica Police Department has lost 6 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
David is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
David is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1960, 1 officer at Santa Monica Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1933, with 2.
In 1960, 5 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1960, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1960, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
David was 29. Of the 4 lost to accidents at Santa Monica Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.8 and 32.5; the middle age was 30. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
David was 29. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
David was 29. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 20% of these deaths at Santa Monica Police Department; March holds the most, 40%. Wednesdays: 20%.
November holds 8.8% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Santa Monica Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Santa Monica Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, David among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Santa Monica Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
