Detective James Franklin Northcutt

James Franklin Northcutt

Detective James Northcutt and Sergeant Steven Morgan were shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance.

He and other officers had just arrived at the scene when several shots were fired by the suspect with an AR-15 assault rifle. Witnesses stated that when the suspect heard the sirens of the responding units he put down the handgun he was holding and picked up the rifle.

As officers arrived on the scene he opened fire on them. Sergeant Morgan and Detective James Northcutt were both shot and killed and a third officer was wounded. The suspect, who was dressed in fatigues and wearing a bullet proof vest, was shot and killed by an off duty officer from another department who was nearby.

Detective Northcutt had served with the Long Beach Police Department for one year and had served in law enforcement for 33 years. He is survived by his wife and five children.