Officer Charles T. Smith stopped a vehicle for speeding on U.S. Highway 99 near Orland. Something suspicious apparently alerted him, and he decided to investigate further, not aware that the vehicle’s two occupants were AWOL Marines who had stolen the vehicle and been on a crime spree. As Smith frisked one man, the other opened fire from behind, hitting Smith three times in the back. Although mortally wounded, the officer managed to struggle to his feet and kill both suspects. Ironically Smith himself had been a Marine MP before he joined the Patrol four years earlier.

Officer Raymond A. Geiger had just left his home to report for the graveyard shift when his motorcycle collided head-on with an automobile that was passing on a hill. Geiger, 28, died instantly from the impact. The accident happened so close to Geiger’s home that his wife, who heard the commotion, walked to the scene thinking her husband was handling the investigation. She was intercepted by another officer who was attempting to spare her the sight of the smashed motorcycle that belonged to her husband.

Officer Edward A. Frey was pursuing a speeder when the vehicle in front of him slowed to make a left turn. Frey was unable to stop and his motorcycle struck the vehicle ahead before glancing off into the path of an oncoming car. The 38-year-old patrol officer sustained critical internal injuries and died 10 days later.

Deputy Howard Scheffler was employed with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department one year. He was hired on February 1, 1955, and assigned to the Indio Station. Before joining the Riverside Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Scheffler worked for Coronado Police Department.

Deputy Scheffler was driving home from a day off in Riverside. He had worked patrol the night before. His vehicle veered off the dividing strip and rolled, killing Deputy Scheffler instantly.

Deputy Scheffler was survived by his wife, Wilhelmina, and twin daughters.

Officer George A. Woodson was pursuing a Christmas-holiday speeder when his motorcycle skidded on rain-slicked pavement and crashed. A motorist found Woodson lying next to his motorcycle beside a chain-link fence that bordered the Santa Ana Freeway. The 32-year-old patrol officer was rushed to the hospital but died without regaining consciousness.