Vernon Police Department, California
End of Watch Thursday, January 24, 1946
Add to My HeroesRichard H. Pennington
Officer Richard Pennington was shot and killed behind the police station after arresting two suspects.
He off duty and riding home when he observed a car fail to stop for another officer who was directing traffic at the corner of Vernon Avenue and Santa Fe Avenue. Officer Pennington chased the suspects a short distance before they finally stopped. He advised both men they were under arrested and ordered them to follow him to the nearby police station. As Officer Pennington stepped off of his motorcycle behind the police station one of the men produced a .38 caliber handgun and shot him to death.
The suspects fled the scene. On February 4th, 1946, the two men attempted to rob a bank in Los Angeles, California. The suspects became engaged in a shootout with two Los Angeles police officers. Both suspects and Officer Walter Kesterson were shot and killed during the shootout.
Officer Pennington was a WWII veteran and had served with the Vernon Police Department for five months. He was survived by his wife and 3-year-old son.
Bio
- Age 30
- Tour 5 months
- Badge 10
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 13 ReflectionsOfficer Pennington,
On today, the 75th anniversary of of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served during WW II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
January 24, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Detention Officer Jeremiah James Story
Perry County Sheriff's Office, AR
EOW: June 22, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Austin Derek Aldridge
Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: June 21, 2022

Deputy Sheriff J'Mar Colin Abel
Chambers County Sheriff's Office, AL
EOW: June 20, 2022

Police Officer Joseph Anthony Santana
El Monte Police Department, CA
EOW: June 14, 2022

Corporal Michael Domingo Paredes
El Monte Police Department, CA
EOW: June 14, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Austin W. "Melvin" Richardson
Fremont County Sheriff's Office, IA
EOW: June 14, 2022

Correctional Officer IV Jade Drennan
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: May 19, 2022

Deputy First Class Glenn R. Hilliard
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, MD
EOW: June 12, 2022
Detective Justin Michael Terry
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, NV
EOW: June 10, 2022