Officer Nathan Oscar Longfellow, twenty-two years old and a one-year veteran of the San Fernando Police Department was shot on November 29, 1923 while attempting to transport a suspect to the city jail.

Officer Longfellow had been enroute to the jail with a suspect who had been arrested for disturbing the peace. Without warning, the suspect pulled out a gun from underneath his vest and fired three shots at Longfellow. One of the rounds struck Longfellow in the chest.

Officer Longfellow immediately fell to the ground while the suspect was overpowered by infuriated citizens. Officer Longfellow lived for several days and eventually died from his injuries on December 2, 1923.

The defendant in this case was ultimately tried, convicted, and was executed by hanging at San Quentin Prison in 1925.