Policeman James L. Beck

James L. Beck

Policeman James Beck succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier while responding to a domestic disturbance at 2053½ Dayton Avenue.

A male subject returned to Los Angeles from San Francisco and had gone to his common-law wife's home to demand custody of their 18-month-old child. When the woman refused to open the door the male subject broke it down.

As Policeman Beck and his partner arrived at the location the subject approached their car and began firing into it before either officer could exit the vehicle. Policeman Beck was struck twice but was able to return fire and wounded the subject, before the man fled the scene in a stolen vehicle.

Policeman Beck was transported to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wounds three days later.

His killer, 29, turned himself in a short time after the shooting. He was convicted of five felony charges, including Policeman Beck's murder, and sentenced to life in prison on April 28, 1931.

Policeman Beck had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for six years.