Manuel Anthony Arceo
1974
Manuel Anthony Arceo served the U.S. Marine Corps for 1 year. Manuel served in the Vietnam War and the Cold War.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Officer Tony Arceo was shot and killed as he and another officer responded to a silent alarm at a pawn shop at 14348 Ramona Boulevard, just half a block from the Baldwin Park Police Department. A man had entered the pawnshop, grabbed a machete, and threatened the proprietress. She offered him money, but the man stated he "just wanted guns to kill cops." The man stepped outside with a rifle she gave him and opened fire on the officers as they approached. Another policeman and a civilian were wounded. Officer Arceo was struck by a ricocheted round fired by another officer. The subject was killed by the other officers who returned fire. On June 18, 1970, Officer Arceo pulled Officer Terry Long from a barrage of bullets during a shootout with a subject who attempted to ambush another officer. Officer Long succumbed to his gunshot wounds on August 22, 2004. Officer Arceo had served with the El Monte Police Department for six years. He was off duty at the time the incident began. He volunteered to help and was responsible for distributing bullet-proof vests to officers who did not have one. He was survived by his parents. That evening, on July 9, 1974, he was to receive a commendation for heroism from the El Monte City Council for rescuing a blind couple from a burning home.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
Service Record
U.S. Marine Corps
1964 – 1964
Conflicts
Vietnam War
Cold War
Also Served
El Monte Police Department
Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
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