Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

William L. Brett

  • Rank: Policeman
  • Serial Number: Unknown
  • Division: Unknown
  • Location: 5th and Lorena
  • Date Killed: Tuesday, December 6, 1921
  • Cause of Death: Shot by a Robbery Suspect

Rememberance

Policeman Clester and Policeman W. Brett were shot and killed while transporting six subjects to the police station. The two officers had stopped a car containing the six men and decided to take them to the station for further questioning. One officer drove the suspects’ car while the other officer followed behind them. During the drive the suspects shot the officer driving their car. When the other officer stopped the police car to see what happened he was shot too.

Five suspects were apprehended 12 days later and the sixth committed suicide after being tracked to the desert and surrounded. Two of the suspects that were apprehended were hung at San Quentin Prison on April 21, 1924.