Officer Ward E. Washington was killed when a truck blew a tire and the driver lost control, hurtling the truck off the Pomona Freeway and striking Officer Washington as he was having lunch at an outdoor restaurant. Ironically, Washington, 39, had been assigned to reduce truck accidents by inspecting the vehicles in truck yards and on the roads for safety violations.

Officers Harold F. Horine and William F. Leiphardt, Jr., both 39 years old, were partners working out of the Baldwin Park Area office. Horine and Leiphardt were investigating a roadside crash involving an abandoned vehicle when a passing tractor and trailer swerved onto the shoulder, smashed into the abandoned car, and rammed it into the patrol officers. Horine and Leiphardt were both killed instantly. Officer Horine had been a member of the Patrol for 10 years, and Officer Leiphardt had 12 years of service with the CHP. The truck driver was charged with felony drunk driving and manslaughter.

Officers Harold F. Horine and William F. Leiphardt, Jr., both 39 years old, were partners working out of the Baldwin Park Area office. Horine and Leiphardt were investigating a roadside crash involving an abandoned vehicle when a passing tractor and trailer swerved onto the shoulder, smashed into the abandoned car, and rammed it into the patrol officers. Horine and Leiphardt were both killed instantly. Officer Horine had been a member of the Patrol for 10 years, and Officer Leiphardt had 12 years of service with the CHP. The truck driver was charged with felony drunk driving and manslaughter.

Deputy Wally Hannan was assigned to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Carson Station at the time of his death. While driving code-3 on Avalon Boulevard en route to assist a fellow deputy, a vehicle turned in front of Deputy Hannan. He swerved to avoid the other car, lost control of the patrol car and collided with a metal utility pole. Deputy Ernie Archuleta, who was Deputy Hannan’s partner, was severely injured in the collision and medically retired.

Deputy Thomas Pohlman was assigned to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department East Los Angeles Station at the time of his murder. Deputy Pohlman was on patrol when he smelled ether, used in the manufacture of PCP. He summoned another unit to help investigate. When a suspect ran from the scene, Deputy Pohlman went in foot pursuit. He caught the suspect and was trying to handcuff him, when the suspect grabbed Deputy Pohlman’s revolver and shot him between the eyes.

Deputy Arthur Pelino was assigned to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Gorman Station at the time of his murder. Deputy Pelino was the resident deputy at Gorman and lived there with his wife and six children. Deputy Pelino arrested a man he described as mentally disturbed and possibly violent, but told deputies at the Santa Clarita Valley Station (the nearest help) that he had the situation under control and did not need help. Deputy Pelino was shot with his own revolver during the booking process. Two of his children found him on the floor with the suspect sitting nearby. They ran and told their mother, who managed to get the man into the lock-up and then call for assistance, but Deputy Pelino was already dead.

Deputy Gregory Low and Reserve Deputy Charles Plumleigh were assigned to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Antelope Valley Station at the time of their deaths. Deputy Low was en route to a burglary in progress call when he collided with another patrol car. The traffic collision resulted in the deaths of Deputy Low and Reserve Deputy Plumleigh, who was a passenger in the second patrol car.

On Saturday, January 14, 1978, Officer Jay Warren Jackson #154 was working as a patrol officer for the West Covina Police Department. At approximately 0232 hours, another patrol officer for the West Covina Police Department attempted to conduct a vehicle stop at Orange Avenue and Garvey Avenue South. The driver of the vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit ensued. Officer Jackson joined the pursuit as it traveled on the eastbound I10 freeway. The suspect exited at Holt Avenue and spun out just north of Garvey Avenue South. The suspect exited his vehicle and hid behind it. The suspect opened fire on responding officers, including Officer Jackson as he approached. Officer Jackson was shot and fatally wounded by the suspect. The suspect was killed by return fire from officers at the scene. It was later learned that the suspect fled from a psychiatric care facility and made suicidal threats to his family and friends.

Officer Jay Jackson was raised in West Covina and attended West Covina schools. He served in the United States Army for three years, receiving an honorable discharge in 1971 as a sergeant (E-5). Officer Jackson previously served four years as a police officer with the City of Azusa, working in the patrol division as a training officer.

Officer Jackson was 29 years old. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara County.