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Incident
Police Officer Thomas Borden was shot and killed when he surprised a burglar in his own home at 226 East 10th Street in Long Beach at 8:50 p.m. He and his wife were returning from church when they surprised the burglar. During the ensuing struggle, the suspect shot Officer Borden with Officer Borden's revolver, which he had stolen during the burglary. The suspect was identified, but never apprehended, and later died in 1974. Officer Borden had served with the Long Beach Police Department for eight years. He was survived by his wife and seven children. He is buried in Sunnyside Cemetery, Long Beach, California.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Borden gave the Long Beach Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Long Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Borden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Long Beach Police Department has lost 28 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1912, 1 officer at Long Beach Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1967, with 2.
In 1912, 8 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 60. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Long Beach Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 37.8; the middle age was 32. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8.2 years.
Thomas was 60. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 60. 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. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 60. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.7% of these deaths at Long Beach Police Department; December holds the most, 23.1%. Sundays: 23.1%.
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 46.4% of all 28 deaths at Long Beach Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 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 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
Long Beach Police Department has 28 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Thomas C. Borden
Mar 17, 1912
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J. R. Wilkinson
Jan 17, 1923
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Orlando E. Bridgeman
Mar 21, 1923
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Robert H. Halstead
Mar 6, 1926
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George A. Walls
Nov 18, 1928
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Ralph A. Morgan
Jul 13, 1931
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William J. MacLean
Dec 12, 1934
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Delbert P. Buckman
Feb 13, 1940
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Engebret Larson
Feb 25, 1942
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Harold W. Irwin
Mar 20, 1945
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Cecil W. Singer
Nov 18, 1945
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Marlin L. Evans
Jul 17, 1949
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Jesse M. Ream
Feb 28, 1950
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Robert H. Morgan
Nov 2, 1950
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William H. Waggoner
Dec 18, 1954
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Frederick W. Walsh, Jr.
Jan 20, 1957
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Vernon J. Owings
Jun 24, 1960
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Richard R. LeFebvre
Aug 15, 1965
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Robert G. Smith
Dec 12, 1965
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William L. Isham
Aug 26, 1967
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Donald V. Knott
Aug 26, 1967
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Robert Ray Birdsall
Sep 16, 1975
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Franke Neal Lewis
Dec 13, 1975
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Gary Orville Elkins
Jan 1, 1976
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Lloyd Marland Lund
Oct 30, 1981
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Karl Duane Simons
Oct 13, 1996
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Daryle Wayne Black
Apr 30, 2000
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Edward Roy Davenport
Feb 4, 2003
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Long Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
