Officer John R. Walters was pursuing a vehicle at high-speed on U.S. Highway 99, south of Bakersfield when a motorist headed the opposite direction crossed three lanes of traffic and crashed head-on into Walter’s motorcycle, killing the 36-year-old officer instantly. A charge of manslaughter was brought against the other driver.

Officer Walters originally from Taft, joined the CHP in 1942, he left behind a wife, Edith, and two children.