Fallen Officers
Vernon Police Officer Richard H. Pennington
KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
January 24, 1946
About
On January 24, 1946, Officer Pennington led two suspects to the rear of our police station, where he parked his motorcycle. One of the suspects pulled out a revolver and shot Officer Pennington five times, fatally wounding him. Both suspects fled, but were ultimately shot and killed by two LAPD Officers several weeks later.
The Vernon Police Department honors the ultimate sacrifice made by Richard Pennington. His name is listed among those honored at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC, the California Peace Officers’ Memorial in Sacramento, CA and the Los Angeles County Peace Officers’ Memorial Wall in Los Angeles, CA.
The Vernon Police Department honors the ultimate sacrifice made by Richard Pennington. His name is listed among those honored at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC, the California Peace Officers’ Memorial in Sacramento, CA and the Los Angeles County Peace Officers’ Memorial Wall in Los Angeles, CA.
Vernon Deputy Marshal Samuel Blundell
KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
June 21, 1919
About
On June 21, 1919, Vernon Deputy Marshal Samuel Blundell was dispatched to a family disturbance call where he encountered Joe Franco armed with a double barreled shotgun. Deputy Marshal Blundell approached the suspect, removed a badge from his pocket and identified himself as an officer of the law. Witnesses stated that a woman yelled “Don’t shoot, it is Officer Blundell.” Franco subsequently raised his shotgun and shot Blundell twice in the chest, mortally wounding him. Franco was initially arrested and charged with Blundell’s murder.
Vernon Deputy Marshal Samuel Blundell had served with the Vernon Marshal’s Office for only seven months.
The verdict of the jury in the Coroner’s Inquest stated. “Gunshot wound of the chest inflicted by Joe Franco (suspect), presumably with intent to kill.” Franco’s attorney successfully argued self-defense in court and was ultimately found not guilty by a jury.
The Vernon Police Department honors the ultimate sacrifice made by Samuel Blundell. His name is listed among those honored at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC, the California Peace Officers’ Memorial in Sacramento, CA and the Los Angeles County Peace Officers’ Memorial Wall in Los Angeles, CA.
Vernon Deputy Marshal Samuel Blundell had served with the Vernon Marshal’s Office for only seven months.
The verdict of the jury in the Coroner’s Inquest stated. “Gunshot wound of the chest inflicted by Joe Franco (suspect), presumably with intent to kill.” Franco’s attorney successfully argued self-defense in court and was ultimately found not guilty by a jury.
The Vernon Police Department honors the ultimate sacrifice made by Samuel Blundell. His name is listed among those honored at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC, the California Peace Officers’ Memorial in Sacramento, CA and the Los Angeles County Peace Officers’ Memorial Wall in Los Angeles, CA.
Vernon Deputy Marshal Maurice William Halloran
KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
November 15, 1913
About
On November 15, 1913, two male subjects, Anderson Miller and John Walker, entered the Walter Slawoszewski’s Wholesale Liquor Store located at 2000 Vernon Avenue to purchase alcohol. Vernon Deputy Marshal Maurice William Halloran while sitting inside the liquor store, observed both subjects approach the bar and order alcohol. While waiting for the order, Walker began vandalizing the wood counter with his pocket knife. Deputy Marshal Halloran ordered Walker to stop and a verbal altercation ensued. Deputy Marshal Halloran then identified himself as a law enforcement officer and was subsequently shot nine times resulting in his untimely death. Both Anderson and Walker fled the scene and were ultimately arrested and convicted for murder of a peace officer and sentenced to life in prison.
The Vernon Police Department honors the ultimate sacrifice made by Maurice William Halloran. His name is listed among those honored at the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial in Washington D.C., the California Peace Officers’ Memorial in Sacramento, CA and the Los Angeles County Peace Officers’ Memorial Wall in Los Angeles, CA.
The Vernon Police Department honors the ultimate sacrifice made by Maurice William Halloran. His name is listed among those honored at the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial in Washington D.C., the California Peace Officers’ Memorial in Sacramento, CA and the Los Angeles County Peace Officers’ Memorial Wall in Los Angeles, CA.