Michael T. Anaya
Agency patch
Patrolman

Michael T. Anaya

San Diego Police Department — San Diego, CA
Felonious
End of Watch April 11, 1979
Age 25
Tour of Duty 9 mo
The Vigil Panel 121 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Michael Anaya was shot and killed after a man high on PCP gained control of his weapon in the 4100 block of Altadena Avenue. He had responded to a call of a man attacking his family with a knife. During a struggle, the suspect gained control of Patrolman Anaya's weapon and shot him. He then shot and killed himself. Patrolman Anaya was paralyzed from the neck down until he succumbed to his injuries three weeks later. Patrolman Anaya had served with the San Diego Police Department for nine months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
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.
Patrolman Anaya served with the San Diego Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Anaya.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location San Diego, San Diego County, CA
Platform Identity sdpd.sandiego.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 11, 1979
Tour of Duty 9 mo
Age 25
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1979, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Michael was 25. 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. Michael had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

San Diego Police Department has 38 officers remembered here, Michael among them.

VI

Where

Patrolman Michael T. Anaya

San Diego Police Department · End of Watch April 11, 1979

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 8-E

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