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Incident
Officer Tommy De La Rosa was shot and killed after being ambushed by drug suspects in Downey, California. Despite being mortally wounded, Officer De La Rosa returned fire and killed one of the suspects. The three remaining suspects were all apprehended and convicted of Officer De La Rosa's murder. All three were sentenced to life without parole. Officer De La Rosa had served with the Fullerton Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Officer De La Rosa gave the Fullerton Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fullerton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer De La Rosa.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fullerton Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Tommy is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Tommy is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Tommy 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 1990, 6 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1990, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1990, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Tommy was 43. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Tommy had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Tommy was 43. 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. Tommy had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Tommy was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Tommy had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Fullerton Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Fullerton Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Tommy among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Fullerton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
