Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Detective Arleigh Eugene McCree

Los Angeles Police Department, California

End of Watch Saturday, February 8, 1986

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Detective Arleigh Eugene McCree

Arleigh McCree was my stepfather and basically raised me from age 7 until high school. He was a tough man. It was almost like he had a split personality sometimes, the tough cop and then the father figure that taught me how to scuba dive, and later was very proud when I went into the Army. I think about him a lot, it seems strange that he was only 46 at the end and that I am now older than he ever got to be.

Scott William MacLeod
Stepson

June 4, 2023

RIP Arleigh. I know you and my father (Dale) are both in good hands but not forgotten.

Kevin Baker
LAPD Class 3-78

December 4, 2022

Thank you for your service.

Timothy Liddell
CA Hwy Patrol 5342 ( retired )

January 28, 2022

It’s been a long time since you’ve been gone. I miss the days you would call our (Ron Ball) house and ask to speak to my Dad. I knew it was you with your Southern drawl, but each time you try to disguise your voice. I’d say hi Arleigh. You would call me a toad for always guessing.

PSR 2 Stacy Ball
Lapd/Van nuys Div

September 10, 2021

I was a young college student and deputy sheriff in Reno, after getting out of the army. I did a semester long research paper on Domestic Terrorist Bombings in the U.S., in one of my classes. I needed research material and help on statistics and my professor suggested that I contact Arleigh McCree. At the time Arleigh was a world renowned bomb tech. I got his phone number and called him at LAPD. He didn't know me, but after I explained who I was, he went above and beyond the call of duty to help me with my research. He also spoke to me about the types of bombs, typically used by terrorists in the U.S. and abroad. He provided me with research material. Arleigh spoke to me on the phone a couple of times and was so helpful and kind, even though I was must a fledging college student and rookie deputy sheriff, but Arleigh treated me like I was a friend of his. He even talked to me about applying at LAPD. I often think of Arleigh and what a great person he was and how kind he was to someone he didn't even know. When I heard about his death, it was a sad day. I often worked with our bomb squad as a SWAT officer/supervisor and I often think about Arleigh. Bomb techs are a special breed, and Arleigh epitomized the best of the best.

James Lopey, Assistant Sheriff (Ret)
Washoe County Sheriff's Office (Reno, Nevada)
Nevada DPS

July 20, 2021

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

February 8, 2021

I was a young Bomb Squad Team Member for an east-coast mid-sized urban department beginning in the early 1980's. All of our team members knew of Det. McCree and the high stakes work he did worldwide...he was a Bomb Tech that we sought to learn everything that we could from his cases....he was seen as one of the best Tecs in the world. We devoured his after-action reports to see how he was so successful. We all felt a sharp sense of loss of such a talented, smart, professional technician. We worried about our own well-being and professional abilities if this fine and skilled a man could be taken from us, so we redoubled our efforts to learn more and do better ops in the field.

Capt WILLIAM J. INGOLD (ret. Sept/2008)
Greensboro Police Department - Bomb Squad Member (1981 - 1986)

June 30, 2020

Rest in peace Detective McCree.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 30, 2020

Thank you for your service.

Tim Liddell
CA Hwy Patrol (retired) 5342

April 12, 2020

FOREVER RIP.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb, Retired, NYSP

January 10, 2020

my father and Arleigh McCree we're best friends they met in the Navy when they left the Navy they both went to work for LAPD on February 10th 1968 Arleigh showed up at our house that evening and informed us that our father had been killed it was 10 days before my 11th birthday on February 9th 1986 my twin called and told me Arleigh was killed Arleigh and my father officer Donald L highly were killed in the same month 2 days apart and we're buried on the same day except Arleigh was killed in 86 and my father was killed in 68 to this all I can think of is best friends. they made a difference in this world and may the two of them be at peace.

Donald Highley
Loving friend

September 17, 2019

my father and Arleigh McCree we're best friends they met in the Navy when they left the Navy they both went to work for LAPD on February 10th 1968 Arleigh showed up at our house that evening and informed us that our father had been killed it was 10 days before my 11th birthday on February 9th 1986 my twin called and told me Arleigh was killed Arleigh and my father officer Donald L highly were killed in the same month 2 days apart and we're buried on the same day except Arleigh was killed in 86 and my father was killed in 68 to this all I can think of is best friends. they made a difference in this world and may the two of them be at peace.

Donald Highley
Loving friend

September 17, 2019

my father and Arleigh McCree we're best friends they met in the Navy when they left the Navy they both went to work for LAPD on February 10th 1968 Arleigh showed up at our house that evening and informed us that our father had been killed it was 10 days before my 11th birthday on February 9th 1986 my twin called and told me Arleigh was killed Arleigh and my father officer Donald L highly were killed in the same month 2 days apart and we're buried on the same day except Arleigh was killed in 86 and my father was killed in 68 to this all I can think of is best friends. they made a difference in this world and may the two of them be at peace.

No rank Donald LHighley
Loving friend

September 17, 2019

Det. McCree,
On today, the 32nd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USN as well as all your Counter-Terrorism work also. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

February 8, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 32nd anniversary of your EOW.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

February 8, 2018

Thank you for your service.

Timothy Liddell
CA Hwy Patrol (retired)

February 6, 2018

Detective Arleigh McCree was one of the most considerate and professional Detectives I ever met on the Los Angeles Police Department. Detective McCree's LAPD training sessions were so insightful that after attending one of these sessions I always felt I had learned something useful that could be used immediately in my day-to-day duties as a law enforcement officer. Detective McCree's door was always open to discuss whatever was on your mind, he loved street cops and was a cop's cop. I remember the day I heard the awful news of his death and the death of LAPD Officer Ron Ball. LAPD definitely lost two of it's most finest that terrible, terrible day. RIP Sir.

Policeman 3+1
Los Angeles Police Department

July 23, 2015

Detective Arleigh McCree,

I was a young policeman(LAPD) taking Administration of Justice Classes at Cerritos College, majoring in VA (veterans Administration), probably 1975...I was always impressed by you, because you always called anyone that you spoke to, 'Sir!'...I was your student...but you called me 'Sir'!...And it stuck with me!...so I, too, address others as 'Sir!'...It is a respectful gesture that I have maintained and learned from you...I got to listen to you as an instructor, and I didn't miss your class!...I am one of many that you have left a grateful memory!

D-2 Frank Adair
LAPD

July 12, 2015

Think about you from time to time Arleigh! Wondering if the thunder is really lightning or you blowing things up.
You have been long time missed by an old friend.

Olivia Bravo
former LAPD Station Officer

June 5, 2014

Geez Arleigh is it possible that it's been almost 30 years since you left us. Hard to believe. Just know that we have never forgotten you, think fondly of you often and miss you. For those of you reading this. Arleigh McCree was my dad Jerry Rogers' partner and good friend. They loved to scuba dive together and our families went camping together. As a child I marveled at Arleigh's sense of humor and his bigger than life personality. He was so much fun to be with. Always making everyone laugh. He called my dad St. Jerome and my dad called him Jacques Arleigh (for the famous scuba diver Jacques Cousteau). I wish the two of you could have grown old together. That's how it should have been.

Nancy Rogers Master
Dughter of Lt. Jerome Rogers LAPD

March 29, 2014

Arliegh McCree was my neighbor. He was a good man and a friend to all the kids in the neighborhood.
I haven't forgotten some of the practical jokes Arliegh played on the kids and, for that matter, his adult neighbors.
You are missed, Arliegh. The world is not the same in your absence.

Mark E. Guy
Sylmar neighbor

October 8, 2013

Your memory will live forever as true heroes never die. Thank you for your dedicated servide. I can not express in words how brave you and your partner were. Thank you.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

February 8, 2013

RIP Sir, you are a true Hero and thank you for your dedication to the USA. You will never be forgotten.

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

February 8, 2012

Janet Escobedo Today I remember the heartache I felt the day you went to heaven.How very sad that you were never able to see your daughter grow into the beautiful lady she is today or see your son become the good man and father that he is and that you were never able to know your grandchildren. The heartache I felt that day so many years ago is still with me today. BUT the memories I have of you can never be taken from me ...I MISS YOU BIG BROTHER !!!

Janet Escobedo
sister

February 8, 2012

Rest in Peace, Detective McCree. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 14, 2012

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.