Deputy James Foote died in an on-duty traffic collision on October 4, 1974. Deputy Foote and his partner, Deputy Ross Rudin was en route to a gang fight call in a residential area of the City of Norwalk, California. Deputy Foote was driving at approximately 45 to 50 miles per hour. He was not wearing his seatbelt, Deputy Rudin was.

As the patrol car entered the intersection of Curtis and King Road and Everest Street, it was struck by a 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado that ran a stop sign. The Oldsmobile was driven by a 15-year-old DUI traveling east on Everest Street at 35 to 40 miles per hour.

The impact caused the patrol car to be launched, rotate counterclockwise and come to rest in the front yard of a residence at the southwest corner of the intersection.

As the collision occurred, Deputy Foote’s patrol car door opened and he was thrown to the pavement. He struck the south curb of Everest Street. He died instantly.

Deputy Rudin sustained injuries to his knees and hands. Undoubtedly, he didn’t suffer greater injuries in the collision because he was wearing his seatbelt.