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Incident
Officer Donald Reed was shot and killed while attempting to serve a felony arrest warrant. He and three other officers arrested the man at a local bar at 8112 Garden Grove Boulevard. As they were walking him out of the back door, the man suddenly jerked free and pulled a .22 caliber pistol from his jacket pocket. He fatally shot Officer Reed and wounded two other officers. The suspect was sentenced to death in two separate trials. The man died in prison on July 7th, 2019, while still on death row. Officer Reed had served with the Garden Grove Police Department for three years and previously served with the Monterey Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
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 Reed gave the Garden Grove Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Garden Grove community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Reed.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Garden Grove Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Donald is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Donald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Donald is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 12 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Donald was 27. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Donald had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 27. 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. Donald had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Garden Grove Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Garden Grove Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Donald among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Garden Grove Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
