187

English

Etymology

Named after section 187 of the California Penal Code, which defines the offense of murder.

Noun

187

1. (US) Police code for murder, in the State of California.
   • 1992, Ian Slater, WW III: Warshot, page 148:

     A code one-eight-seven on Jefferson one-four-eight-nine. Corner store—7-Eleven." A 187 was a homicide, Jefferson, the other side of town. ...

   • 2003, Mark Anthony Neal, Songs in the Key of Black Life: A Rhythm and Blues Nation, page 164:

     […] and Snoop Dogg blatantly rapped about doing "187 on an undercover cop" on [….]

   • 2004, Malcolm W. Klein, Gang Cop: The Words and Ways of Officer Paco Domingo, page 131:

     Paco came across a wall that, in the large block letters of local Hispanic gang graffiti, spelled out “187 Domingo.” This was the ultimate threat for Paco [….]

   • 2004, Stephen J. Cannell, Vertical Coffin, page 256:

     Perp at this address is a possible One-eight-seven P. Request a unit respond Code Three." The RTO came back immediately and put out the call division-wide.

   • 2004, Cash Pawley, Pray for Death, page 21:

     Respond to a one-eight-seven at nine-eight-six Cove Road North," the dispatcher continued in her heavy southern drawl. "10-4... En route.[….]

Further reading

• 187 (slang) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia