Officer Earle M. Ames was returning to the CHP Stanislaus office after a special duty assignment in Oakland. Ames was traveling late in the evening through very heavy fog when his motorcycle collided with a city bus. The bus was reportedly almost invisible in the fog because of its newly installed vapor lights. Officer Ames was thrown from his motorcycle and killed.
Officer Ames, a member of the Stanislaus County unit of the California Highway Patrol and the former Police Chief of Newman, was survived by his widow and then 9-year-old daughter.
On the evening of September 6, 1936, Constable Rawleigh was investigating and accident just outside of Manteca. During the investigation, Constable Rawleigh was struck by a passing vehicle. The injuries he suffered in the second accident, led to the amputation of both his legs. Sadly, on September 17, Constable Rawleigh died as a result on complications brought on by the injuries he suffered in the accident.
On the night of Aug. 30, 1936, Deputy Sheriff Martin Lange and Constable Joseph Clark were summoned to a remote area near Horse Creek in Siskiyou County. They were to serve a warrant for battery on the Brite brothers who were camped in that area.
As the officers, along with two civilians, attempted to place the brothers under arrest, a fight ensued. Both officers and one of the civilians were shot and killed. The brothers were convicted of first-degree murder. Their death sentences were later commuted to life in prison.
On the night of Aug. 30, 1936, Deputy Sheriff Martin Lange and Constable Joseph Clark were summoned to a remote area near Horse Creek in Siskiyou County. They were to serve a warrant for battery on the Brite brothers who were camped in that area.
As the officers, along with two civilians, attempted to place the brothers under arrest, a fight ensued. Both officers and one of the civilians were shot and killed. The brothers were convicted of first-degree murder. Their death sentences were later commuted to life in prison.
Wasco Constable Joseph F. English died August 15, 1936 after being shot in a Wasco pool hall. He had been a constable for 1 1/2 years.
Officer Charles H. Nissen was pursuing a traffic violator when a vehicle ahead of him slowed for a turn. Nissen applied his brakes to reduce his speed, but his motorcycle struck the rear of the vehicle and skidded. The patrolman was thrown to the pavement and died at the scene.
On November 17, 1935, Officer Robert C. Grow was directing traffic when he was struck and killed by an automobile at the corner of Mariposa Avenue and Sepulveda Boulevard. Officer Grow had only been with the Police Department for five months at the time of his death.
