Policeman Gary Kirt McDonald, Los Angeles Police Department, California

Policeman Gary Kirt McDonald

Los Angeles Police Department, California

End of Watch Wednesday, October 6, 1965

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Gary Kirt McDonald

Policeman Gary McDonald was shot and killed by a robbery suspect whom he and his partner cornered in the rear of a market after responding to a silent alarm.

As he was being handcuffed, the suspect gained control of Policeman McDonald's partner's handgun and shot him three times. While he was collapsing, he pulled his pistol and killed the suspect.

Policeman McDonald had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 11 months. He was survived by his expectant wife, who gave birth to their son eight days later.

In 1966, the Los Angeles Police Department awarded Policeman McDonald the Medal of Valor for his bravery on October 6, 1965.

Bio

Age 22
Tour 11 months
Badge 12151

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Shot and killed

alarm, robbery

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Most Recent Reflection

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Hi Dad.
Checking in.
You are our Hero.
We love you and miss you.
And wish you were here to enjoy life with us.
You would be so proud of all your family.
And we can tell you are up there cheering us on.
I want to post the wording on your Medal of Valor for all future readers to understand what a Hero you are.
It reads as follows:
For extreme courage and perseverance in the performance of duty, under the most hazardous of conditions, on the evening of October 6, 1965, Officer McDonald joined other officers in the search for burglars at a market. He had arrested and handcuffed one prisoner when a suspect being handcuffed by another officer overpowered that officer, taking his gun. As the armed suspect and the officer struggled for possession of the gun, it was discharged four times. The first bullet struck a third officer. As Officer McDonald left his prisoner to assist his brother officer, three more shots were fired striking Officer McDonald. Thrown backwards to the ground by the force of the bullets, Officer McDonald drew his revolver, advanced and fired one shot, fatally wounding the gunman who had mortally wounded him.
Officer McDonald’s extreme courage in advancing to assist a brother officer,
although dying of the wounds inflicted upon him, may well have saved the lives of his brother officers and was in the highest tradition of the Los Angeles Police Service.
What a Hero.
I love you Dad.

Bryan Gary McDonald-Bullard
Son

September 12, 2025