Michael Jackson

Michael Anthony Jackson (March 27, 1954 – June 6, 2026) was an American convicted murderer who was sentenced to death in 1984 for shooting and killing police officer Ken Wrede in West Covina, California in August 1983. He was formerly incarcerated in San Quentin State Prison before his death by natural causes in 2026.

Murder of Officer Ken Wrede Shortly after noon on August 31, 1983, West Covina Police Officer, 26-year-old Ken Wrede, responded to calls of an intoxicated man that was disturbing residents. Jackson obtained a shotgun from Wrede’s patrol car and shot the officer multiple times. Before being shot, Wrede radioed for help. But by the time other officers arrived, Wrede was already dead, and the officers detained Jackson. Jackson was arrested and admitted to taking PCP-laced cigarettes earlier that day.

Conviction During the trial, Jackson's lawyers argued that he might have been severely high, which made him not legally responsible for the murder. On May 21, 1984, Jackson was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.