Patrolman Robert F. Bowers was killed in an automobile accident on Dec. 12, while in a high-speed pursuit of a motorcycle. Upon entering an intersection, his cruiser struck a pickup truck and was spun around, ejecting him.

He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

His wife and young daughter survived Bowers.

Officer Charles D. Goss had just completed his investigation of a five-car collision. As he left the site, his patrol car was struck head-on by a vehicle attempting to pass a truck. Goss was killed instantly. The 39-year-old officer was a 1952 graduate of the CHP Academy and the Madera Area was his first assignment. Charges were filed against the driver for attempting to pass the truck without sufficient clearance.

Deputy Falkowski was assigned to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Norwalk Station at the time of his death. Deputy Falowski, 28, suffered a heart attack while attempting to disperse an unruly crowd of juveniles in the unincorporated area of West Whittier.

Deputy William Littlejohn, 43, and his partner Deputy Stan Kirkman were rushing an attempt suicide victim to a downtown hospital when his patrol car was struck by a drunk driver. Deputy Littlejohn’s injuries took his life two days after the accident.

Kirkman returned to duty after recuperating from minor injuries.

The drunk driver was convicted of felony drunk driving.

Deputy Littlejohn joined the Sheriff’s Department in November of 1952 and was a resident deputy in Citrus Heights. Deputy Littlejohn was cremated and the location of his remains is unknown.

Officer James E. Maroney responded to a call for assistance put out by the Modoc County Sheriff in apprehending an armed suspect. As officers closed in, the suspect opened fire and Officer Maroney was killed during the ensuing gun battle. The 33-year-old patrolman had transferred to Alturas from Fresno just two months earlier.