Lieutenant Arthur W. Bethel, Los Angeles Police Department, California

Lieutenant Arthur W. Bethel

Los Angeles Police Department, California

End of Watch Sunday, July 13, 1941

Arthur W. Bethel

Lieutenant Arthur Bethel succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on January 25th, 1923.

He was on patrol when he observed a vehicle that was the subject of a previous lookout following a suspicious event earlier in the evening. He stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Sixth Street and Figuera Street. He got into the backseat of the car, next to the backseat passenger, and ordered the driver to proceed to the Central Station for further questioning.

As the vehicle approached the intersection of First Street and Hope Street the driver suddenly turned around and opened fire, striking Lieutenant Bethel three times. Despite the wounds, he was able to return fire and killed both subjects in the vehicle.

Lieutenant Bethel was taken to a local hospital where he underwent several surgeries, including the amputation of one leg, and blood transfusions. His health never recovered and he died as a direct result of the wounds on July 13th, 1941.

Bio

Age 55
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Thursday, January 25, 1923
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Shot and killed

transport

Most Recent Reflection

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Arthur Bethel is my uncle and I was named after him. My mother told me about him when I was a little boy. Although I never met him, I did visit with one of his daughters in 1958. I would like to learn more about him and would like to read newspaper accounts if someone can let me know how to access the information. Frederick Bethel Griswold, Fredonia, AZ

Frederick Bethel Griswold

July 18, 2017