In the early Sunday morning hours of Aug. 19, 1931, Motorcycle Officer Osborn A. Lyon was patrolling the streets of East Oakland. While on Foothill Boulevard, he observed a vehicle driving at a high rate of speed and gave chase. When he reached the intersection of 67th Avenue and Foothill, he sideswiped a truck and was thrown to the street, sustaining severe injuries and loss of blood. Despite the efforts of medical personnel and blood transfusions, Lyon lost his fight for life at 7 a.m.

Lyon, 29, joined the Oakland Police Department on Aug. 1, 1929. He had just transferred to the Traffic Bureau. He was survived by a wife and child.