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Incident
Police Officer Arthur Simpson was shot and killed by a U.S. Army lieutenant who went on a rampage in the officers' club at Camp Anza, during which eight people were shot, three fatally. Officer Simpson and his partner saw a vehicle that a report had been broadcast about earlier parked on the side of the road and went to investigate. The suspect confronted Officer Simpson's partner with a .45-caliber automatic handgun. Officer Simpson ordered the suspect to put the gun away. Instead, the suspect fired two shots, hitting Officer Simpson in the stomach. His partner returned fire, hitting the suspect, who was taken into custody and transported to the hospital in serious condition. Officer Simpson was rushed to the county hospital where he died shortly after his arrival. The suspect was convicted of four counts of first degree murder and sentenced to death. On July 7th, 1944, he used a bed sheet to hang himself from a ceiling radiator while being treated for gunshot wounds in a hospital. Officer Simpson had served with the Riverside Police Department for three years.
In Our Keeping
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NW-H5WJ-86VK-8earlier record number BO-US-CA-2E371ABF- Stewardship
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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 Simpson gave the Riverside Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Riverside community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Simpson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Riverside Police Department has lost 15 officers; 14 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 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Arthur is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1944, 1 officer at Riverside Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1971, with 2.
In 1944, 5 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1944, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1944, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Arthur was 35. Of the 14 killed feloniously at Riverside Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 35; the middle age was 32. Arthur had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Arthur was 35. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Arthur had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Arthur was 35. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Arthur had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Arthur was 35. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Arthur had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.1% of these deaths at Riverside Police Department; November holds the most, 14.3%. Sundays: 35.7%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 15.8%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 93.3% of all 15 deaths at Riverside Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Riverside Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Arthur among them.
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John Baird
Dec 15, 1912
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Del MacIntyre
Jul 1, 1917
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Clinton Burtner
Dec 4, 1938
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Edward A. Bertino
Feb 3, 1940
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Arthur Simpson
Mar 5, 1944
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Leonard A. Christiansen
Apr 2, 1971
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Paul C. Teel
Apr 2, 1971
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William C. Prettyman
Dec 12, 1973
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Larry Eugene Walters
Nov 13, 1974
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Dennis Charles Doty
May 13, 1982
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Philip N. Trust
May 13, 1982
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Claire Nicole Carolyn Connelly
Jul 12, 1998
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Charles D. Jacobs, III
Jan 13, 2001
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Ryan Patrick Bonaminio
Nov 7, 2010
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Michael Daniel Crain
Feb 7, 2013
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E
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Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Riverside Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
