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Incident
Officer Frost was shot and killed with his own weapon after responding to a vandalism call. A man, 38, had thrown a brick through a Food King window. A struggle ensued between Officer Frost and the suspect. The man gained control of Officer Frost's revolver and shot him five times. The suspect was arrested a short distance away. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a Western State Hospital and two years later to Eastern State Hospital. On July 29, 1981, he was released to a campus house off of hospital grounds where he could come and go freely and work in Spokane. Less than two years later, he moved to a home in Spokane, where he remains under intensive probation for the remainder of his life. Officer Frost had served with the Tacoma Police Department for 7 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his son and daughter.
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.
Patrol Officer Frost gave the Tacoma Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tacoma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Frost.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tacoma Police Department has lost 12 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Larry is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Larry is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Larry is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1977, 1 officer at Tacoma Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1977, 1 officer in WA was killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Larry was 29. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Tacoma Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 39; the middle age was 33. Larry had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Larry was 29. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Larry had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Larry was 29. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Larry had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Larry was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Larry had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 20% of these deaths at Tacoma Police Department; January holds the most, 20%. Fridays: 20%.
September holds 9.6% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Fridays: 13.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 41.7% of all 12 deaths at Tacoma Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.9% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Tacoma Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Larry among them.
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Minor Cudihee
Jul 30, 1892
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Lloyd M. Kincaid Oct 28, 1918
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William Wickman
Aug 9, 1925
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Paul Andrew Trent
Nov 23, 1941
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Martin J. Joyce
Nov 25, 1941
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Lief Ben Overdahl
Jan 22, 1957
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Larry Leland Frost
Sep 9, 1977
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Craig Alan Nollmeyer
Jan 24, 1985
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Larry W. Walker
Oct 25, 1986
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William Francis Lowry
Aug 28, 1997
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James Gordon Lewis
Apr 27, 2004
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Reginald Jake Gutierrez
Nov 30, 2016
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
11 officers from Tacoma Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
