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Incident
Officer Leslie Prince was struck and fatally injured by a drunk driver while directing traffic at 5:15 p.m. at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Adams Avenue on Nov. 16, 1974. He and other officers had been called to the scene due to a power failure, which had caused the lights to malfunction. A speeding truck being driven by a drunk driver entered the intersection against the direction of another officer. The truck struck Officer Prince, causing severe injuries, and he succumbed to them over two weeks later on Dec. 1, 1974. The driver of the truck served a one-year jail term. Officer Prince had served with the Huntington Beach Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife, infant son, parents, sister, and brother. In 1979, a city park was named after Officer Prince.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, infant son, parents, sister, 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.
Officer Prince gave the Huntington Beach Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Huntington Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Prince.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Huntington Beach Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Leslie is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Leslie is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Leslie 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 1974, 14 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Leslie was 26. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Leslie had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leslie was 26. 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. Leslie had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leslie was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Leslie had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8.2% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 15.8%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Huntington Beach Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 9.1% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Huntington Beach Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Leslie among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Huntington Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
