Los Angeles Police Department, California
End of Watch: Friday, March 23, 1973
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 12522
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 9, 1972
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Never apprehended
Policeman Fred Early succumbed to injuries from a gunshot wound when he was shot by a robbery suspect on September 9, 1972.
Policeman Early was off duty when he observed a burglary in progress. He went to a phone booth to call in the crime when he was confronted by the suspect(s) and shot while he was on the phone.
He survived the shooting, but not without complications. In the months that passed, he suffered blackouts and other symptoms. While undergoing treatment at UCLA Medical Center, he sustained irreversible brain damage and never recovered from the procedures. He died from his injuries six months after the shooting.
In March 1998, the Los Angeles City Council approved a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of suspect(s) in the shooting of Policeman Early.
He was survived by his four daughters, mother, and sister.