Patrolman Roderick D. Gordon, Western Pacific Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police

Patrolman Roderick D. Gordon

Western Pacific Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police

End of Watch Sunday, September 8, 1935

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Roderick D. Gordon

Patrolman Roderick Gordon was killed after being slashed and stabbed 29 times by a hobo he had found sleeping in a railroad car in Stockton, California.

The suspect was later arrested in Ohio and returned to California to face trial. He was convicted of Patrolman Gordon's murder and sentenced to death by hanging. He was executed at Folsom Prison on October 16, 1936.

Patrolman Gordon was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WWI and a recipient of the Purple Heart. He was survived by his wife and young son.

He is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery.

Bio

Age 38
Tour Not available
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Stabbed
Location California
Weapon Edged weapon; Knife
Offender Executed in 1936

foot patrol

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Most Recent Reflection

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Patrolman Gordon,
On today, the 90th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the USMC in Europe fighting the Germans during World War I.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

September 8, 2025