Policeman

John G. Magness

Los Angeles Police Department — Los Angeles, CA
Accident
End of Watch May 21, 1920
Gender Male

Incident

Detective John Magness succumbed to injuries he received in a vehicle crash at West Adams Boulevard and South Grand Avenue in Los Angeles.

Detective Magness was riding in the front seat of the police ambulance when the driver of another vehicle crashed into them. He was transported to White Memorial Hospital, where he passed away from his injuries six days later.

Detective Magness had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for over five years. His great-grandson also served with the agency.

Survivors

Survivors include his wife and four children.

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 Magness served with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Magness.

— 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 May 21, 1920
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

John is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1920, 48 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

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

Across the years
V

Where

Policeman John G. Magness

Los Angeles Police Department · End of Watch May 21, 1920

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-W

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