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Raymond La Forest Messer
Incident
Officer Messer was stabbed to death at the California Vocational Institution at Lancaster. Officer Messer was making bed checks when he discovered one of the inmates in possession of two knives. He was stabbed when he ordered the man to hand over the weapons. The 20-year-old inmate, serving a sentence for assault with the intent to commit rape, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. On February 4th, 1952, he strangled himself to death in his cell on San Quentin's death row.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Messer served with the California Department of the Youth Authority.
Thank you for your service to the Sacramento community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Messer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
California Department of the Youth Authority has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Raymond is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Raymond is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Raymond 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 1951, 3 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1951, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1951, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Raymond was 47. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Raymond was 47. 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.
Raymond was 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at California Department of the Youth Authority, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.9% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
California Department of the Youth Authority has 4 officers remembered here, Raymond among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from California Department of the Youth Authority are honored on badge.nw.
