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Incident
Sergeant Rolland Morton and Special Police Officer Frederick Porter were killed in an aircraft accident while en route to Long Beach to offer assistance to victims of a recent earthquake. The chief of police had also requested that they check on Santa Monica residents who were working at a Long Beach dredging company. The Buhl CA-5 Airsedan crashed near Baldwin Hills after encountering an area of dense smoke and fog. Officer Ted Davis of the California Highway Patrol was also killed as a result of the earthquake when his motorcycle struck a bridge as he assisted with rescue efforts. Sergeant Morton had served with the Santa Monica Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, parents, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Sergeant Morton gave the Santa Monica Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Monica community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Morton.
— 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.
Rolland is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Rolland is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rolland 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 1933, 2 officers at Santa Monica Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1933, 8 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1933, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1933, 94 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Rolland was 37. 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. Rolland had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Rolland was 37. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Rolland had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Rolland was 37. 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. Rolland had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rolland was 37. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Rolland had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 40% of these deaths at Santa Monica Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 80%.
March holds 8.1% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 13.9%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
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, Rolland among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
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.
