San Francisco Police Department, California
End of Watch: Saturday, August 26, 1933
Age: 48
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 25, 1933
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Officer Michael McDonald was shot and killed by a man holding another man hostage at the Crystal Palace Market at Eighth Street and Market Street in San Francisco.
A few days earlier, a wealthy retired banker, answering a knock at his door, suddenly found himself at the mercy of a man standing there with a gun. For the next few days, the suspect marched his victim from bank to bank, forcing him to withdraw funds. As they went into a market to get some food, the victim saw Officer McDonald coming toward them and shouted, "Get that man; he's got a gun," and then started running simultaneously. Officer McDonald drew his gun as the suspect drew his gun, and the suspect shot him three times. He was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds the next morning.
The suspect ran from the market and engaged in a gun battle with two officers on Mission Street near 8th Street, where he was shot to death. An innocent bystander was also wounded in the volley of gunfire.
Officer McDonald was survived by his wife and six children.
He is buried at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetary in Colma, California.