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Incident
Officer Larson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a liquor store robbery suspect. The suspect, 20, and girl friend, 20, were arrested and charged with murder. On April 26, 1962, the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. His girlfriend was acquitted. On August 27, 1970, he escaped from a state prison camp at Chino. He was captured in Kansas City on October 12, 1970. On February 5, 1975, the California Court of Appeals granted him a new trial. Eight months later he was again convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. Officer Larson had served with the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety for 3 years.
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 Larson gave the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Larson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Gary is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Gary is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gary is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1962, 6 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1962, 67 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 107th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1962, 67 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 116th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gary was 23. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Gary had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gary was 23. 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. Gary had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gary was 23. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gary had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 15.8%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety has 5 officers remembered here, Gary among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.
