Gary Kirt McDonald
Agency patch
Policeman

Gary Kirt McDonald

Los Angeles Police Department — Los Angeles, CA
Felonious
End of Watch October 6, 1965
Age 22
Tour of Duty 11 mo
Badge 12151
The Vigil Panel 100 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Policeman Gary McDonald was shot and killed by a robbery suspect whom he and his partner cornered in the rear of a market after responding to a silent alarm. As he was being handcuffed, the suspect gained control of Policeman McDonald's partner's handgun and shot him three times. While he was collapsing, he pulled his pistol and killed the suspect. Policeman McDonald had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 11 months. He was survived by his expectant wife, who gave birth to their son eight days later. In 1966, the Los Angeles Police Department awarded Policeman McDonald the Medal of Valor for his bravery on October 6, 1965.

Survivors

He was survived by his expectant wife, who gave birth to their son eight days later.

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 McDonald 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 McDonald.

— 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 October 6, 1965
Tour of Duty 11 mo
Age 22
Badge Number 12151
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Gary is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1965, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Gary was 22. 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. Gary had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Policeman Gary Kirt McDonald

Los Angeles Police Department · End of Watch October 6, 1965

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E

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