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Incident
Corporal John Pierce died as a result of injuries sustained nine months earlier while conducting an undercover narcotics investigation at Whittier College. On September 21, 1976, Corporal Pierce was leaving a dormitory when two security guards, who had received a complaint about a man harassing students, accosted him in a case of mistaken identity. The security guards shoved him into a parked car, which resulted in Officer Pierce suffering a broken neck. Corporal Pierce was paralyzed from the neck down, needed a machine to breathe, and was in a coma until he passed away on May 18, 1977. Both security guards were charged with felony assault. One guard was acquitted, but the jurors could not agree on the verdict for the second guard. The second security guard was charged with manslaughter after Corporal Pierce's death but was also acquitted. Corporal Pierce had served with the Whittier Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Corporal Pierce gave the Whittier Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Whittier community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Pierce.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Whittier Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1977, 16 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 34. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 34. 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. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.7% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Whittier Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Whittier Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Whittier Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
