David Earle Bailey was a 21-year-old Los Angeles Police Department officer who died on October 21, 1977, of gunshot wounds suffered six days earlier. On October 15, 1977, while off duty at the North Rialto Shopping Center, several juveniles approached him and a friend and showed a firearm. Officer Bailey identified himself as a police officer and tried to take cover and disarm the assailants when one of the juveniles fired, hitting him in the face and thigh.

A 17-year-old juvenile was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. On August 23, 1978, that juvenile was found guilty and sentenced to an indefinite term at the California Youth Authority, not to exceed eight years. Officer Bailey’s death was publicly remembered as a loss to the department and community and prompted discussion about juvenile crime and officer safety.

If anyone knew Officer Bailey or has information about the events at North Rialto Shopping Center on October 15, 1977, please share what you remember.