Unsolved Murder Case from 1985 Solved

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, July 19, 1999
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) are announcing the issuance of an arrest warrant for Ted Eugene Kirby, a male White 54 years of age, for the murder of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sergeant George Arthur, who was shot and killed on June 1, 1985.

Sergeant Arthur was a 14-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and was assigned to the Men’s Central jail at the time of his death. On June 1, 1985 at approximately 9:50 p.m., Sergeant Arthur departed the Men’s Central Jail in his personal vehicle after finishing his work shift. Several minutes later, while driving his vehicle, Sergeant Arthur was shot and killed by the suspect, who was also inside of Sergeant Arthur’s vehicle. Sergeant Arthur’s vehicle careened out of control and collided into a center divider on the freeway onramp for the Southbound 5/Eastbound 10 at Mission Street. Sergeant Arthur was transported to the Los Angeles County Medical Center and pronounced dead.

A massive, joint investigation was launched involving the LAPD, Robbery-Homicide Division (RHD) and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau. The investigators located witnesses who reported seeing a male crawl from Sergeant Arthur’s vehicle after the collision and flee from the scene. The male appeared to be bleeding fro injuries sustained during the collision, including a head injury. Personnel from LAPD’S RHD, LASD and Scientific Investigation Division (SID) combed the crime scene and recovered a variety of evidence, including biological evidence left by the murderer, from which DNA result were ultimately obtained.

The murder investigation entailed hundred of interviews and an examination of a significant number leads and clues. Despite the efforts placed into the investigation, the murder remained unsolved.

In April 1999, LAPD and LASD reviewed the entire case, which led to a renewed commitment to solve the murder of Sergeant Arthur. Consequently, a joint task force was formed consisting of LAPD RHD and LASD homicide detectives.

The investigation involved a complete review of all information and evidence obtained in the previous years and many other newly gleaned information and re-interviews of witnesses. Additionally, DNA samples were obtained from several persons. One individual from which a DNA sample was obtained was from suspect Ted Kirby. Kirby retired from the LASD in 1996 as a Deputy Sheriff. After his retirement, Kirby moved to Spokane, Washington.

An examination by LAPD SID personnel of the DNA sample obtained from Ted Kirby was found to match the DNA sample left near the crime scene by the murderer.

On July 7, 1999, LAPD and LASD personnel flew to Spokane, Washington in furtherance of the investigation. The investigation revealed that Ted Kirby was last seen by his wife on or about June 30, 1999. Kirby apparently departed his residence in the early morning hours. Kirby left his vehicles at his residence and seemingly walked from the residence. Kirby was described as being depressed, emotional and possibly armed with a handgun.

A felony warrant had been issued for the arrest of Ted Kirby for the murder of Sergeant George Arthur. On July 14, 1999, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents found a badly decomposed body near Ted Kirby’s residence. It was determined that the body belonged to Ted Kirby and that injuries had been self inflicted.

For Release 11:15 am PDT
July 19, 1999