Los Angeles Police Department, California
End of Watch: Sunday, July 13, 1941
Age: 55
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 25, 1923
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Lieutenant Arthur Bethel succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on January 25th, 1923.
He was on patrol when he observed a vehicle that was the subject of a previous lookout following a suspicious event earlier in the evening. He stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Sixth Street and Figuera Street. He got into the backseat of the car, next to the backseat passenger, and ordered the driver to proceed to the Central Station for further questioning.
As the vehicle approached the intersection of First Street and Hope Street, the driver suddenly turned around and opened fire, striking Lieutenant Bethel three times. Despite the wounds, he was able to return fire and killed both subjects in the vehicle.
Lieutenant Bethel was taken to a local hospital where he underwent several surgeries, including the amputation of one leg and blood transfusions. His health never recovered, and he died as a direct result of the wounds on July 13th, 1941.
Lieutenant Bethel had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 11 years before medical retirement. He was survived by his wife and children.