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Policeman

William G. Brown

Los Angeles Police Department — Los Angeles, CA
Accident
United States flag California flag
End of Watch September 13, 1939
Age 39
The Vigil Panel 76 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 239

Incident

Policeman William Brown succumbed to injuries sustained the previous evening when his police motorcycle collided head-on with another motorcycle on North Sepulveda Boulevard. The driver of the other motorcycle was killed, and a passenger was injured in the crash. Policeman Brown was transported Georgia Street Receiving Hospital in critical condition. When it became evident that he would pass away, a fellow officer who had stayed by his bedside all night, responded to his home to pickup his wife and son to bring them to the hospital before he died. While responding back to the hospital the patrol car was involved in an accident in which Policeman Brown's wife suffered a fatal neck injury and his son suffered a broken back. The officer driving the patrol car suffered a fractured skull and internal injuries. Policeman Brown's wife died three days later.

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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.
Policeman Brown served with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Brown.

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

Agency

Department Los Angeles Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA
Platform Identity lapd.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 13, 1939
Age 39
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1939, 61 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 72nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 39. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.

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

When

September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Los Angeles Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Policeman William G. Brown

Los Angeles Police Department · End of Watch September 13, 1939

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E

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