Archives: Fallen Officers

Luther Washington Hogan

Hurled head first to the ground when his motorcycle skidded on a sharp turn on the Tehachapi highway. State Traffic officer L. W. Hogan, 39, of the Kern Division suffered injuries which proved fatal.

Hospital reports were to the effect that officer Hogan, widely known throughout the San Joaquin Valley as “Pat” Hogan, suffered a broken neck and concussion of the brain.

The exact cause of the accident, which occurred near the intersection of the Tehachapi Highway and the cut-off to Arvin at the Bear Mountain Ranch, is not known. For there were no eye witnesses, but it is believed that Hogan’s motor skidded on the curve when it hit loose sand.

Within a few seconds after the accident, and before the dust had cleared from the scene, a motorist came upon the unconscious form of the injured traffic officer, and brought him to the San Joaquin hospital in Bakersfield.

Officer Hogan was returning from Muroc Lake on the Mojave Dessert, where he had been assigned to duty during the motorcycle races there. The accident occurred sometime between 5 and 6 p.m.

Officer Hogan has been with the Kern County squad of the state traffic force under Captain Snell for the last four years. Previous to that time, he served with the Tulare County force for six years, most of which time he was captain.

Officer Hogan died at the hospital shortly before 7 a.m. more than 36 hours after his skull was fractured and his neck broken in the accident. The investigation led to the belief that Officer Hogan was in pursuit of another motorcycle that was believed to be speeding.

Ernest H. Philbrick

In the evening hours of Feb. 11, 1929, Motorcycle Officer Ernest H. Philbrick and Leo C. Brandt engaged in a pursuit of an auto speeding westbound on East 14th Street from 63rd Avenue. The fleeing vehicle raced through the intersection of Seminary and East 14th followed by Brandt.

As Brandt reached Seminary, a motorist began to turn into the intersection. The driver stopped until Brandt passed by, then continued his turn. The driver never saw Philbrick enter the intersection, and collided with him head-on. The officer was thrown 75 feet from the collision site.

Philbrick died minutes after his arrival at Highland Hospital.

In order to snare traffic scofflaws, motorcycle policemen of the time occasionally patrolled at night without their headlights on. Philbrick and Brandt had been following this practice.

Philbrick, 32, was a six-year veteran of the Oakland Police Department. He had been assigned to motorcycle duty for only three weeks. At the time of his death, his wife was in a private hospital awaiting the birth of their child.

George A. Walls

Officer George A. Walls died on November 18, 1928, while patrolling on his motorcycle in foggy weather, he crashed into the rear of a truck and trailer that was parked partially extending into the street on the East Anaheim Road.

LeRoy Darst

On October 12, 1928, a rainy Friday morning, Officer W. L. Evans, a ten month member of the Force, and officer LeRoy Darst, with less than a week in police work, were driving South on Main Street approaching Crest Street en route to a reported traffic accident. The first rain of the season made driving treacherous, and as Officer Evans applied the brakes, the police car swerved across the street and collided with an oncoming car. Officer Darst was knocked unconscious and died from a skull fracture a short time later. LeRoy who was 43 years old, was survived by his wife, Helen.

Massie E. Morris

At approximately 2 p.m. on Oct. 5, 1928, Officer Massie E. Morris while on patrol and collecting dog licenses was at the Myrtle Avenue Santa Fe Railroad crossing when he was struck by a train. At the time of the accident, he had turned north on Myrtle Ave. from Duarte Road. He came almost to a dead stop, looked east, but failed to look west where his view was obstructed by a parked freight train.

The train, reportedly traveling more than 40 miles per hour, struck the Morris’ unit broadside killing him instantly. The unit, demolished, was carried more than 150 feet by the train, and Morris’ body was dragged on the cowcatcher of the engine three blocks before the train came to a stop.

Morris, known to all the children and his many friends as “Tiny,” was probably one of the most popular members within the history of the police force. He was well liked by all and always had a cheery word for those he met.

More than 400 attended funeral services for Morris at the First Christian Church in Monrovia with Rev. Frank Shaul officiating. Mayor A.J. Little closed City Hall during the services.

Morris, a member of the Monrovia Police Department for six years, was born in Tennessee near the Kentucky border on April 7, 1883. He had resided in Monrovia for the past eight years.

Morris, 45, was survived by his wife, Mai; daughter, Dorothy; son, James; and his mother and four brothers and a sister who all reside in the east.