Captain Michael Wayne Tracy

Michael Wayne Tracy

Captain Michael Tracy and Sergeant Vernon Vanderpool were shot and killed while attending a department staff training seminar at the Holiday Inn in Torrance California.

The two officers were killed during an attempted robbery when a gunman burst into their conference room. Sergeant Vanderpool immediately lunged at the gunman and was shot. Captain Tracy was shot when he attempted to help Sergeant Vanderpool, who died on the day of his 36th wedding anniversary. The robber, who was the son of a state appellate judge and who was wearing a bulletproof vest, choked to death on the vest while being subdued by the other officers in the room.

Captain Tracy began his law enforcement career in 1966, first as a reserve officer and then as a police officer with the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department. He served for 28 years. He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, three grandchildren and by his parents.