Special Deputy Sheriff Daniel A. Todd

Special Deputy Sheriff Daniel A. Todd

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California

End of Watch Tuesday, February 22, 1910

Add to My Heroes

Daniel A. Todd

Special Deputy Sheriff Daniel Todd was shot and killed while intervening in a domestic dispute in Vernon.

He had been sworn in as a deputy and assigned to protect the city dumps, in the area of South Sante Fe Avenue and East Vernon Street, and its operators after they began to receive threatening letters and demands of money in January 1910. The sheriff believed that the letters were being sent by the Black Hand, a forerunner to the mafia.

On February 22nd, 1910, the operator's wife was threatened by her son who brandished a gun and demanded money. The woman asked Deputy Todd to intervene because he had built a rapport with the boy. A struggle ensued in which the firearm was discharged and struck Deputy Todd in the chest, killing him.

A coroner's jury and presiding judge both determined the shooting to be an accident and the boy was never indicted.

Deputy Todd was a widower and had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for approximately two months.

Bio

  • Age 46
  • Tour 2 months
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Handgun
  • Offender Not indicted

domestic

Most Recent Reflection

View all 2 Reflections

Special Deputy Todd,
On today, the 110th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Los Angeles County.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

February 22, 2020

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.