Patrolman Roderick D. Gordon

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

Add to My Heroes

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

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 8 Reflections

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

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.

Recent LODD Deaths