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Incident
Police Officer Gordon French was shot and killed after being taken hostage by a prisoner attempting to escape the police station.
Officer French, who was unarmed at the time, was shot while attempting to overpower the subject. The man later committed suicide.
Officer French had served with the Laguna Beach Police Department for three years.
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.
Police Officer French gave the Laguna Beach Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Laguna Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer French.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Laguna Beach Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Gordon is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Gordon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gordon 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 1953, 6 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1953, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1953, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gordon was 48. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Gordon had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gordon was 48. 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. Gordon had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gordon was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gordon had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Laguna Beach Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 22.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Laguna Beach Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Gordon among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Laguna Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
