Mathew P. McDonagh
Agency patch
Policeman

Mathew P. McDonagh

Los Angeles Police Department — Los Angeles, CA
Accident
End of Watch December 16, 1923
Age 28
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Badge 468
The Vigil Panel 46 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Policeman McDonagh was killed when his police motorcycle was struck by a train in downtown Los Angeles. Policeman McDonagh had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 3 years and was survived by his expectant wife. Policeman McDonagh's son, grandson, and great-grandson all went on to serve with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Survivors

Policeman McDonagh had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 3 years and was survived by his expectant wife.

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 McDonagh gave the Los Angeles Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman McDonagh.

— 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 December 16, 1923
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 28
Badge Number 468
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Mathew is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% 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
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1923, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Mathew was 28. 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. Mathew had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Policeman Mathew P. McDonagh

Los Angeles Police Department · End of Watch December 16, 1923

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E

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