Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch: Thursday, January 7, 1858
Age:
Tour of Duty: 1 week
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 7, 1858
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Sheriff William Getman was killed while trying to diffuse a violent situation in a pawnshop at the corner of Los Angeles Street and Aliso Street.
A man had entered a pawnshop and demanded to the storeowner shoot him or he would shoot the store owner. Sheriff Getman responded and came up behind the suspect, spoke calmly to him, and placed his hand on the man's shoulder. The subject quickly turned around and started shooting his gun. Sheriff Getman was struck and killed.
A deputy and other men returned fire killing the suspect.