Policeman James Oscar Summers, Los Angeles Police Department, California

Policeman James Oscar Summers

Los Angeles Police Department, California

End of Watch Saturday, March 4, 1944

Add to My Heroes

James Oscar Summers

Policeman James Summers succumbed to injuries sustained on February 18th, 1944, while struggling with a prisoner inside a paddy wagon on Main Street.

Other officers had just arrested the man for acting drunk and disorderly. During the transport the man started fighting with another prisoner and Policeman Summers attempted to separate the two. The man kicked Policeman Summers in the abdomen, causing serious internal injuries.

Policeman Summers was transported to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital where he died on March 4th, 1944.

The subject, 22, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to one to 10 years in prison. In 1952 he served a short sentence in Texas for drunk driving. On August 1, 1971, he and his passenger were killed in a head-on collision on Highway 14 near Mexia, Texas. He was driving on the wrong side of the road. The driver of the other car was killed and his passenger was admitted to a hospital in serious condition.

Policeman Summers was a U.S Army veteran of WWI.

Bio

Age 49
Tour Not available
Badge 2015
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Assault
Incident Date Friday, February 18, 1944
Weapon Person
Offender Sentenced to 10 years

prisoner custody, transport

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 11 Reflections

Officer Summers,
On today, the 80th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army as a member of the 1st “Big Red One” Division in Europe fighting the Germans during World War I. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

March 4, 2024