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Incident
Constable McDonald was shot and killed when he responded to a bank robbery call of the Bank of Pinole. The robbers had just stolen $35,000 and were making their escape when Constable McDonald arrived on the scene and attempted to stop them. The suspects opened fire on Constable McDonald with a sub-machine gun, striking him in the stomach. He was able to return fire and shot one of the suspects but all escaped. The three robbers were identified as members of the famous Fleagle Gang. The gang had terrorized the west robbing trains, banks, and post offices for 10 years. In July of 1930 three members of the gang were captured and hanged in Colorado for their involvement in a bank robbery in Lamar, Colorado in 1928, in which four people were killed. The gang's leader was shot and killed on October 14, 1930, when he resisted arrest on a train in Branson, Missouri. Three other members of the gang, including a woman, were captured and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. None of the gang members were ever tried for Constable McDonald's murder or the Pinole Bank robbery.
Survivors
Constable McDonald had been with the agency for 11 years and was survived by his wife and three daughters.
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.
Constable McDonald gave the Pinole Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pinole community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable McDonald.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pinole Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Arthur is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Arthur is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Arthur 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 1929, 4 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 101st heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Arthur had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Arthur had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Arthur had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Pinole Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 66.7% 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
Pinole Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Arthur among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Pinole Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
