A 10-year veteran of the CHP, Officer Gregory “John” Bailey was killed after he pulled over a suspected drunk driver on Interstate 15 near Hesperia. He made the stop while he was heading home after the end of his shift. As Bailey stood on the shoulder, a second suspected drunk driver drove onto the right shoulder at a high rate of speed, struck the CHP motorcycle, the violator’s vehicle, and Officer Bailey. The violator’s vehicle was struck with such force it overturned, landing in the freeway traffic lanes. All three parties were transported by ambulance to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. Officer Bailey died from his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital. The DUI driver, Domingo Esqueda, age 20, of Adelanto, reportedly had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit.

Bailey was the sixth Highway Patrol officer to be killed on duty in previous five months.

At least 1,500 people, and several hundred uniformed officers and soldiers attended Officer Bailey’s memorial service at the Rock Church in San Bernardino, where he was remembered as a man devoted to his wife, Teresa, and their four young children, and for his service in the U.S. Army, the California National Guard, and the California Highway Patrol.

Born in Michigan, Bailey moved with his family to rural Thurmont, Maryland, when he and his sister were young. Aimee Bailey recalled a playful older brother who chased her with bugs and lizards and later taught her to drive a stick-shift. “I thought the two of us would grow old,” she told mourners.

After high school, Bailey trained as a helicopter mechanic in the Army, repairing Blackhawks. He entered the CHP academy in 1995, spending five years in the Barstow Area office before transferring to Rancho Cucamonga to become a motorcycle officer. Last November Bailey returned from a 14-month tour in Iraq with the California National Guard.

In their remarks at the service, several of John Bailey’s friends and colleagues called him a cowboy – as much for his adventurous spirit as for his boots and custom hats.

CHP Officer Mike Hootman recalled a long trip that he and Bailey took on their motorcycles for a special assignment. “I’ll never forget how special it was and how cool it was to ride side by side by my friend on a CHP motorcycle doing something we loved so much,” Hootman said.

“He gave his life by protecting citizens of California,” said CHP Inland Division Chief John Fogerty. “He was a hero, not a victim.”

“I know that John was doing his duty as a solider of the law when he died,” said CHP Commissioner Mike Brown. “He could have turned a blind eye. … But he believed in taking drunk drivers off the road.”

Brown, Fogerty and Maj. Gen. William Wade II of the California National Guard, each kneeling, handed folded flags to Bailey’s parents, Leonard and Lavonne Bailey.

The funeral service ended and mourners filed outside for a final farewell – a 21-gun salute under a drizzling sky. Each of the officer’s children clutched a teddy bear as their mother was presented with a pair of American flags.

In the pre-dawn hours of February 17, 2006, CHP Officer Earl Scott was patrolling Highway 99 near the town of Ripon, a farming community in California’s Central Valley. At approximately 4:30 a.m. Officer Scott made a traffic stop on a 1990s Nissan Maxima, believed to be speeding.

A witness driving past the scene saw the officer go down and doubled back, jumping a fence to get to Officer Scott. The witness found Scott lying on the shoulder, officials said. He called 911 from his cell phone. Stanislaus County Sheriff’s deputies and CHP officers responded and found Scott deceased, with the Nissan’s registration papers still in his hand.

Officials immediately launched a statewide manhunt for the car, which was found unoccupied later that morning. At 8:40 a.m., 30-year old Columbus Junior Allen II walked into the Stockton Police Department in connection with the shooting. After lengthy questioning Allen was arrested for the murder of Officer Earl Scott.

Scott came from a family of law enforcement officers. His father and two uncles retired from the CHP and his cousin currently serves as a Sergeant with the CHP’s Stockton office. He is survived by his father and stepmother, Bill and Terrie Scott; sister, Lena Scott Tate; and grandmother, Margaret Whitney. He was unmarried with no children and was just shy of marking his fifth anniversary with the CHP. He had been with the Modesto Area office for about three years. Previously, he had worked out of the Santa Cruz Area office.

On February 23rd, at the First Baptist Church in downtown Modesto thousands of officers from as far away as Massachusetts and South Carolina gathered to salute a man they described as a devoted officer and an unfailingly loyal friend.

CHP Commissioner Brown spoke first, praising Scott for his devotion to law enforcement and agonizing over his untimely murder. “To me, it’s a travesty that a young man like Earl should have to give up his life in such a manner,” Brown said.

CHP Central Division commander, Chief Ed Fincel, said “this grief was forced upon us,” and referred to Scott’s killer as a “criminal coward.”

Attorney General Bill Lockyer, the only elected official to speak at the funeral, said he represented 37 million Californians in expressing his grief. He also promised Scott’s father that justice will be served. “Mr. Scott, every forensic resource and prosecutorial resource needed to do justice will be used,” Lockyer said. “And the message is: if you kill a law enforcement officer in California, we won’t rest until (the killer is prosecuted). That is a promise, sir.”

Scott’s longtime friends, Modesto police officer Rob Hart and CHP officer Brandon Rioux, spoke last.

Hart met Scott in 1991, and the two quickly became roommates and best friends, he said. Even when Scott bought a home in Hughson in 2004, the two remained close. Hart recently bought a home in the same neighborhood, to be closer to Scott, he said. In that neighborhood, Scott’s home was always open to friends and neighbors. “Earl opened his home to everyone,” he said, adding that the park across the street from Scott’s home is to be renamed Earl H. Scott Park.

Echoing Hart’s comments, CHP officer Brandon Rioux said, “Earl made friends wherever he went. He was truly a gentleman. He was a guy you wanted your sister to find and to love.”

Rioux closed his emotional farewell to Scott by reciting CHP radio code. “I’d like to say something that Earl didn’t get to say: Modesto 40-32, 10-10.”

On the afternoon of Saturday, January 7, 2006, the city of East Palo Alto lost an officer committed to the community – especially its troubled youth, and the family of Officer Richard May lost loving husband, father, and son.

At approximately 4:35 p.m., Officer May responded to a reported fight at a taqueria. With him on a ride-along was a 14-year-old Explorer Scout.

When they arrived at the scene, the suspect was leaving the restaurant on foot and Officer May followed in his car. The suspect began to run, attempted to scale a fence but failed. As Officer May pursued him on foot, the suspect turned and opened fire.

The Explorer Scout was still in the car when the shooting began and was not harmed during the incident. He made the first call of ‘officer down’ to report the shooting.

The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended the following morning. The Scout’s description of the suspect is credited with helping lead to the arrest of 23-year-old Alberto Alvarez of East Palo Alto, a known gang member on parole after serving 16 months in prison on drug and weapons charges.

“He explained what happened and what the suspect was wearing,” said Officer Brian Frayer, the assistant adviser for the East Palo Alto Police Department’s Explorers Program. “The slain officer’s family is extremely grateful.”

The teen, whose identity is being withheld by authorities, had logged about 650 hours riding with police officers during his 18 months in the program. “He did what he was supposed to do,” said John Richers, chief executive officer for the Boy Scouts Pacific Skyline Council, of which the boy is a member. “We’re terribly proud.”

Four days later, hundreds gathered at the HP Pavilion in San Jose to eulogize and remember Officer Richard May. He was described as a hero with a mischievous sense of humor and a loving father.

“I’m outraged to see this tragic waste of a good and decent man,” Attorney General Bill Lockyer said.

Upon high school graduation in 1985, May joined the Marines, eventually serving his country in Operation Desert Storm. This service led to the idea of doing police work, and he joined the Lompoc Police Department just over 10 years ago. He worked as a drug education officer and dedicated himself to youth outreach. He founded a Boys and Girls Club, raising money for a building and driving kids to games. He taught law enforcement classes at the high school and worked in a program that matched habitual offenders with police officer mentors.

On occasion Richard Allen May Sr., would ride along with his son and watch as he dealt with the people he met. “He was an officer who wanted to help, no matter what,” his father said.

When May transferred to East Palo Alto PD, he was unwilling to uproot his family – wife Dianna and three daughters, then age 9, 13 and 17. Instead, he commuted from San Luis Obispo, staying with his mother and stepfather at their home in Atherton during his half-week shifts.

Frank Merrill, Officer May’s stepfather, said although he sometimes talked about the dangers of patrol, more often May focused on the hopeful signs. “His biggest concern was trying to make a difference,” his stepfather said. “If he could make a difference with one kid, he was a success.”

A trust fund has been established for the May family as follows:
May Family Trust Fund
Account No. 458233826
San Mateo Credit Union
P.O. Box 910
Redwood City, CA 94064-0910

New Year’s Eve 2005 took a devastating turn for CHP’s Santa Cruz office and the family of Lt. Michael Walker.

At approximately 10:10 p.m. Lt. Walker and Sgt. Mike Redel responded to the scene of a traffic collision on narrow SR-17 that winds through the Santa Cruz mountains. In the stormy weather they provided assistance to a driver who had spun out and crashed. CalTrans worker, Victor Diaz arrived at the scene, parking his truck behind the CHP unit to provide additional traffic control. As Lt. Walker was initiating a flare pattern, an approaching driver lost control of his vehicle, striking the rear of the CalTrans truck, forcing it forward where it struck Lt. Walker. After arriving at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, Walker succumbed to his injuries.

A preliminary investigation of the accident showed no indication of drugs or alcohol. The driver of the vehicle, Jerry Blinkenberg, a 31-year-old resident of Boulder Creek, later died from injuries sustained in the accident.

Walker was the youngest of four boys raised in Daly City as part of a large extended Irish American family. In 1981 he followed his older brother, Robert, into the CHP. After serving Contra Costa County for 15 years, he was promoted to sergeant in the commercial vehicle inspection unit in Cordelia and moved to the Vallejo office in 2002. In May 2006 he earned his lieutenant bars and was assigned to Santa Cruz.

Rather than relocate his family when he took the new post, Walker, an avid camper, spent weekdays living in a travel trailer, driving home to Vacaville on weekends to be with his family. During the summer months, his wife Michelle, and the couple’s two daughters, Amanda, 9, and Jennifer, 7, joined him camping in the Santa Cruz area.

It was in Vacaville on January 6, 2006, that Lt. Michael Walker was remembered during a Catholic Mass at The Mission Church. Over 1600 people, including hundreds of officers from public safety agencies across six states, praised Walker as a dedicated husband and father, a gregarious and warm-hearted friend and a “road dog” who hated being stuck behind a desk. “Mike was more than just a great guy. He was a true believer,” CHP Commissioner Mike Brown said. “He truly believed in saving lives and protecting the public. It was a passion for him.” “He wouldn’t ask you to do anything he wouldn’t do himself,” said Officer Debbie Bratby, noting that Walker sent other officers home to be with their families on New Year’s Eve while he performed their duties.

Michelle Walker did not speak at the service, but in a note read by a relative she said Walker “brought so many gifts to his family, friends and work relationships…I was so blessed to have him in my life for 12 ½ years. Whatever was happening in our lives, not a day, a moment passed that we doubted Mike’s love.”

“He brought laughter and love to us in a million different ways.”

A memorial fund has been established for Walker’s daughters. Donations may be submitted to the Lt. Mike Walker Memorial Fund, c/o Comerica Bank, 30 Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center, Aptos, Calif. 95003, or c/o CHP, 10395 Soquel Drive, Aptos, Calif. 95003.

“He was saving lives, protecting the public. He was doing his job, and he did it well.” Those were the words of CHP Commissioner Mike Brown at the memorial services for Officer Erick Manny, age 35 and a four-year CHP veteran.

On the morning of December 21, 2005, Officer Manny was killed in a single car accident on I-5 near the Grapevine, while in pursuit of a driver speeding upwards of 100 mph. During the chase, Manny swerved to avoid a truck that cut him off, witnesses told authorities. Manny’s car rolled down an embankment and came to rest on the Grapevine exit off ramp. Before the crash, Manny was able to radio in a description of the vehicle – a late-model black Acura RSX. In Manny’s last communication over the police radio, he referred to a “failure to yield” and then was not heard from again.

Investigators believe the speeder knew he or she was being followed based on witness reports that the Acura was weaving in and out of traffic to evade Manny, as well as the distance the chase covered. Investigators have contacted the vehicle manufacturer and will attempt to find the driver, even if that means considering every black Acura in the state.

Officer Manny was remembered not only as an officer, but as a friend and family man, leaving behind his wife Ronina and two young children: son Toran (11) and daughter Teagan (8). As she paused at her husband’s casket, Ronina bent down to kiss their children. Family friend Kevin Burton read a letter written by Ronina. “I know Erick would not want us to be sad, he’d want us to remember all the great times.”

“You couldn’t ask for a better man. He was the definition of a caring and gentle man,” Burton said. “He loved his job dearly.” Burton had known Manny since they were both about 19 years old and worked as emergency medical technicians. Manny was inspired to join the CHP by the death of Officer Richard Maxwell in 1994. Manny was part of the ambulance crew that responded when Maxwell was shot to death in a gunbattle. It was the camaraderie he saw among CHP officers at that time that encouraged him to join.

Officials at Hall Ambulance Service, where Manny worked as a paramedic for several years, expressed their condolences. “The community has suffered a tremendous loss of a gentleman who dedicated his life to serving, protecting and caring for others,” they said.

Lt. Rick Odom, Manny’s commanding officer in the Fort Tejon CHP office, remembered Manny as an upbeat guy who never said bad things about others. “He had a great sense of humor and was known to play a few practical jokes,” Odom said during the service. Odom said the small tight knit office won’t be the same, “He’s already missed.”

After the memorial service, members of the public lined the procession route from Valley Baptist to Hillcrest Memorial Park, where Manny was laid to rest.

On the afternoon of November 17, in rural Yolo County near the town of Woodland, CHP Officer Andrew T. Stevens was shot and killed instantly during a routine traffic stop.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. Stevens pulled over two vehicles and after waiving on the first, he approached the second driver. There was brief conversation described as cordial and professional, Officer Stevens then leaned into the driver’s window and was shot point-blank in the head. The suspect fled from the scene.

A witness sitting on a nearby tractor observed the entire incident and ran to Officer Stevens’ aide. CHP Chief Stan Perez said the last call to come in on Stevens’ radio was “mayday!, mayday!, mayday!,” as the citizen witness used the officer’s radio to frantically call for help.

Immediately, a regional manhunt was launched involving local police and sheriff’s departments, the CHP, and the FBI. Early the next morning a Placer County sheriff’s deputy spotted the suspect vehicle in a Rocklin hotel parking lot. Brendt Anthony Volarvich, 20, of Roseville and Lindsey Jane Montgomery, 20 of Woodland were taken into custody without incident. A third suspect, Gregory Zielesch, 47, of Woodland was arrested later that afternoon. Zielesch and Volarvich are suspected of being involved in a murder conspiracy plot in which the intended target was a Woodland man.

“Obviously, there’s a sense of relief” after the arrest, Chief Perez said at a news conference. “Who would he hurt next? Somebody so ruthless that would kill a police officer in cold blood, in broad daylight on a county road – what respect would they have for some other innocent person’s life?”

Volarvich and Zielesch were charged with murder of a police officer, conspiracy and possessing a firearm as felons. Both could face the death penalty. Montgomery was charged with harboring Volarvich. The next hearing date in this case is set for December 22.

Stevens’ loves in life were his wife, Michelle, their two basset hounds, and riding his Harley-Davidson. Officer Stevens was head of the Auburn H.O.G., Harley-Davidson Owners Group, and Michelle the club photographer. They biked around the country, including a ride to Milwaukee in 2003 for Harley-Davidson’s 100th anniversary. Last year the couple rode across Germany and Switzerland.

Over 3,000 mourners paid their respects to Officer Andy Stevens on November 22. Thousands of officers in their ‘Class A’s’ and hundreds of bikers in their black leathers packed the Adventure Christian Church in Roseville. Many dignitaries including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Treasurer Phil Angelides were in attendance. Upon arriving at the church, all filed past Officer Stevens’ Harley parked in the church lobby draped with his leather vest, pants and helmet.

Calling the service a “solemn and sacred moment” Senior Pastor Rick Stedman addressed the congregation, “It is an honor for us to serve you today because you law enforcement officers serve us each and every day of the year. So this service is for you, and for Andy, and his family.”

Stevens was remembered as a man who followed his call to service, both in his job with the CHP and around his community, whether it was organizing the annual neighborhood camping trip, or the holiday toy drive for needy children.

Robert Hays, Stevens’ closest friend and best man at his wedding, spoke directly to Stevens’ wife with tears in his eyes. “Michelle, Andy loved you with all his heart, I can never express how much he loved you. He loved you with all of his being.”

After the memorial service, a motorcade led by over 200 Harley-Davidson riders, followed by hundreds more law enforcement motorcycles and patrol cars drove through Roseville to Mount Vernon Memorial Park in Fair Oaks for Stevens’ burial.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has suffered its second Line of Duty death in 2005. This latest tragedy occurred on October 11, 2005, when Deputy Daniel Lobo, Jr. of the Rancho Cucamonga station died from injuries suffered when his motorcycle collided with a car that pulled out directly in his path. It comes less than four months after the death of Deputy Greg Gariepy, and just over one year following the loss of Deputy Ron Ives, also a motor deputy from the Rancho Cucamonga station.

Deputy Lobo, along with a second motor deputy and a deputy in a squad car were heading east on Arrow Highway at 3:25 p.m. with lights and sirens on in response to a crash at Etiwanda Avenue. A man pulled out of a driveway to head west on Arrow. The first motor was able to pass, the patrol officer swerved out of the way, but Lobo could not avoid the vehicle and was thrown from his motor after striking the rear of the car. Paramedics arrived minutes after the accident and began CPR. Lobo was flown to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, where he passed away at 4:12 p.m.

Deputy Lobo first joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1994 and was assigned to the Rancho Cucamonga station in 1998. He is remembered by fellow deputies as a happy guy, always smiling; a man with a positive outlook on life, love of family, and devotion to his work. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Lobo; three daughters, Kiley, Kadie and Maddison; and his parents, Daniel Lobo Sr. and Gloria Lobo.

About 2,000 people paid their respects to Lobo at his funeral services on October 17th. During the service at Hillside Community Church in Rancho Cucamonga, Lobo’s middle daughter Kadie, 10, read a letter she wrote for her father. “I will miss you. I can’t wait for the day that I’m up in heaven with you and God.” she said.

“When we lose one of our brothers, our family, it just tears us up. I can’t imagine what Jennifer and her family are going through.” said Sheriff Gary Penrod.

Deputy John Bannes, who met Lobo at sheriff’s academy orientation more than a decade ago, shared stories about Lobo, such as the time he ran into a burning house to help people get out, and came out startled by what he later discovered was a 300-pound potbelly pig. “Danny, being the hero he was … was the first one to get on the scene…He was one of those partners that you could depend on to be there.”

State Attorney General Bill Lockyer also spoke about Lobo and the sacrifices he made as a sheriff’s deputy. Addressing Lobo’s three young daughters he said, “Your dad was a hero. You should be proud.”

A year ago, Mothers Against Drunk Driving presented an award to Rocklin Police Officer Matthew Redding for making the most arrests of drunken driving suspects in 2003. That year, Officer Redding took 25 DUI suspects off the streets – the most of any police officer in Placer County.

On Sunday, October 9, 2005, a drunk driver took Officer Redding’s life.

Redding was assisting Citrus Heights police in a high risk traffic stop setting up traffic cones when Eric Dungan of Lincoln struck the officer and drove away. Dungan was arrested shortly after the crash and charged with gross vehicular manslaughter, felony hit and run, and driving under the influence. Authorities report his blood-alcohol level was measured at 0.15. Redding was flown to Sutter Roseville Hospital, where despite the best efforts of police, fire, ambulance, and hospital personnel, he died as a result of the injuries inflicted. “It’s such an irony that he would be killed by a drunken driver,” said Matthew Redding’s father, John. “This (suspect) has now changed our lives forever.”

John Redding said his son began to consider a criminal justice career as early as the eighth grade. By the time he got to college, Matt’s goal was to become a police officer for his hometown of Rocklin. “It was the proudest day of Matt’s life when his mother pinned his police stripes on his chest,” said Redding.

He was a local boy with a love of fishing, skiing, golfing, but even more for law enforcement. Officer Redding is described as larger than life, religious, and a terrific role model – especially for the youth of this close knit community. Rocklin’s Police Chief says everyone in the department was proud to work alongside the hard working, caring officer who had a special way with people. “Matt was so good with people, his Superior described him as being able to arrest half the city, only to have them come in, shake his hand and thank him,” said Rocklin Police Chief Mark Siemens.

On Friday, October 14th, over three thousand people including peace officers from around the state, crowded into Roseville’s Adventure Christian Church to pay their final respects. Redding’s flag-draped casket was watched over by an honor guard throughout the ceremony.

After a slide presentation featuring photos of Redding, Cpl. Eric Dollar of the Rocklin Police Department read the Policeman’s Prayer, “I don’t think I can do this,” he said, choking back tears. Haltingly he exchanged the word “policeman” with Redding’s first name in the poem’s last stanza. “Step forward now Matt, you’ve borne your burdens well,” Dollar read. “Come walk a beat on heaven’s street, you’ve done your time in hell.”

During the service, Chief Siemens announced that Governor Schwarzenegger’s office declared December of this year to be known as Redding Drunk Driving Awareness Month.

At the conclusion of the memorial service, law enforcement personnel saluted as they filed past the coffin, which was then led by a lone bagpiper to the church parking lot where helicopters honored Officer Redding with a flyover. A huge funeral procession passed through Rocklin streets and eventually reached Bayside Covenant Church in Granite Bay, where a reception was held.

Officer Matthew Redding was laid to rest during a private burial ceremony at Rocklin Cemetery. He is survived by his parents, John and Carolyn; brother, Mark; and girlfriend, Jessica Navarette.

On the evening of October 6, 2005, Deputy Kevin Elium, a five year veteran of the Tulare County Sheriffs Department, was on patrol in Porterville with volunteer sheriff’s chaplain Lee Sorenson. At approximately 2100 hours Deputy Elium answered a call to back up a fellow deputy on a high-risk traffic stop in the Strathmore area. As he attempted to pass a car with lights and siren on, his patrol car went off the narrow roadway and hit a tree.

The driver of the car Elium was passing witnessed the crash and was first to call 911 dispatchers on a cell phone. Both Elium and Sorenson were pinned in the patrol call. After about 25 minutes, Sorenson, age 73, was pulled from the car by rescue crews and taken to Sierra View District Hospital, where he since recovered from his injuries. It took approximately another hour to free Elium from the wreckage. He was flown by helicopter to University Medical Center in Fresno. He died at the hospital shortly after midnight on October 7.

October 12, 2005 Deputy Elium was remembered as a caring father, respected deputy, and smiling friend during funeral services at the Church of the Nazarene in Porterville. More than 1,000 people, including peace officers from up and down the state ranging from El Segundo Police Department near Los Angeles to El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department in Northern California, came to pay their respects to the fallen deputy. “I can’t give you a reason for why this happened. … I can tell you I lost a hard-working deputy,” Tulare County Sheriff Bill Wittman said during the service.

After the church services, dozens of patrol cars and police motorcycles along with ambulances and fire trucks, led a two-mile procession to Hillcrest Memorial Park for graveside services that included a 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, and a helicopter flyover from the California Highway Patrol and the Sheriff’s Departments of Fresno and Kern counties. While a bagpiper mournfully played “Amazing Grace,” one of Deputy Elium’s three children helped to release a flock of white doves that circled over the crowd before disappearing into the horizon.

Elium served in the U.S. Army and worked as an emergency medical technician in the South Valley for ten years. He was hired by the Tulare County Sheriffs Department after graduating from the College of the Sequoias Police Academy in 2001. He worked first in the detentions division and later transferred to transportation. He was promoted to patrol duties in 2004, working from the sheriff’s Porterville substation.

Deputy Elium is survived by his three children, parents, and foster parents.

Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement Special Agent Supervisor William Garvey was involved in a fatal traffic accident in the early morning on Saturday, September 24, 2005. Based out of the BNE Los Angeles Regional Office, SAS Garvey had finished up an operation in San Luis Obispo and was returning home in his state issued car when he lost control of his vehicle.

SAS Garvey is survived by his wife Gail, daughter Natalie Garvey-DeLeon, son-in-law Franklin DeLeon, and two grandchildren.