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Incident
Investigator Joey Little succumbed to injuries sustained in a traffic collision at Birch Street and Kraemer Boulevard in Placentia on October 30, 1989. Investigator Little had been assigned to assist another officer who had been wounded while on duty two months earlier. At 5:30 a.m., he was driving the wounded officer to the station in his private vehicle during the work detail, and as he entered an intersection, another vehicle ran a red light and collided with his vehicle at approximately 55 mph. The other driver and the second officer both walked away from the accident with minor injuries. Investigator Little was in a deep coma for two months with various broken bones, crushed ribs and head injuries. He spent the next seven years in various hospitals and rehab facilities, but was considered slow to recover. Investigator Little had served with the Placentia Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three 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.
Investigator Little gave the Placentia Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Placentia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Little.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Joey is the only officer of Placentia Police Department remembered here.
Joey is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Joey is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joey 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 1996, 8 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1996, 49 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 98th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1996, 57 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 94th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joey was 40. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Joey had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joey was 40. 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. Joey had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joey was 40. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joey had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in CA, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Placentia Police Department.
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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Placentia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.