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Incident
Deputy City Marshal Leon Romer and Deputy City Marshal Dwight Crittenden were shot and killed while attempting to serve an eviction warrant at a home at 1741 East 23rd Street. The suspect opened fire on the two deputy marshals when he was told he would have to leave the home.
Deputy Marshal Romer was able to stumble outside, where he collapsed in the front yard. The suspect then shot Deputy Marshal Crittenden in the back as he retreated into the street to seek cover. Responding officers engaged the suspect in an hour-long gun battle, wounding him four times.
On June 1, 1938, the man, 54, was convicted of two counts of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison.
Deputy City Marshal Romer would be deputized to back up Deputy City Crittendon during eviction notices.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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.
Deputy City Marshal Romer served with the Los Angeles City Municipal Court.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy City Marshal Romer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Los Angeles City Municipal Court has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Leon is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Leon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Leon 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 1938, 8 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Leon was 61. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Leon was 61. 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.
Leon was 61. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Los Angeles City Municipal Court. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 8.6% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Los Angeles City Municipal Court has 4 officers remembered here, Leon among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Los Angeles City Municipal Court are honored on badge.nw.
