Archives: Fallen Officers
William J. Bowman
Harry L. Ashley
On the evening of December 19, 1947 Officer Ashley, an 830.33 P.C. peace officer, was called to investigate a suspicious person who had been loitering in the Stockton Santa Fe Railroad passenger station. Upon approaching the suspect, the suspect fired one round from a large caliber handgun concealed in a brown paper bag. The round struck Ashley in the throat, killing him instantly.
The perpetrator was never apprehended.
Officer Ashley was survived by his wife.
John Naccarato, Jr.
John R. Walters
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.
Peter H. Carroll
Officer Pete Carroll was responding to an emergency call using his lights and siren. Another police unit, also sounding its siren, collided with Pete’s police car. Pete was fatally injured in the accident.
Frederick S. Wales
Officer Frederick Wales was patrolling on his motorcycle when he spotted a speeding motorist. Wales initiated a high-speed pursuit of the speeder, but lost control of his motorcycle and crashed.