Officer Ralph D. Percival had just completed writing a citation to a traffic violator and was returning to his motorcycle when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver. The 44-year-old patrol officer was a 17-year CHP veteran and had worked most of his career out of the Redwood City Area office.

Officer Michael L. Edwards was kidnapped and murdered on Saturday, May 11, 1974. He was a member of the Los Angeles Police Department’s 77th Street Division.

Officer Gerald N. Harris was directing traffic at an intersection in Bakersfield when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver. The impact of the collision threw Harris onto the car’s hood and shattered the vehicle’s windshield. A passenger riding in the front seat pushed Harris’ body back through the windshield, off the hood and flung him to the pavement before fleeing the scene. The 36-year-old patrol officer sustained a broken leg and other injuries and his condition did not appear life-threatening. He subsequently required special medical treatment and the president of Continental Telephone in Bakersfield volunteered his company’s private jet to fly Officer Harris to specialists in San Francisco, but Harris died from an embolism. Officer Harris was a seven-year member of the Patrol. The hit-and-run driver was apprehended and served 12 months in the county jail.

At one o’clock in the afternoon, Oakland Police received a phone call reporting that a mentally disordered person was causing problems at Madison Jr. High School. The caller said the man was bothering the children and fighting with the staff. Officers David Branhan and David Marks were dispatched to the school.

After arriving at the school, the officers located the individual and escorted him to a conference room on the main floor where, although they attempted to calm him down, he began to fight with them. Somehow the subject seized Marks’ weapon and fired at both the officers. Branhan and Marks fell to the floor, mortally wounded. The suspect ran from the school and hid in an apartment. He was later shot and apprehended by Oakland officers.

Branhan, 29, who was survived by his wife, joined the department in 1970. He died at Highland Hospital.

Marks, 26, joined Oakland Police Department in May 1972. He died at Merritt Hospital of his wounds. He was survived by his mother.

At one o’clock in the afternoon, Oakland Police received a phone call reporting that a mentally disordered person was causing problems at Madison Jr. High School. The caller said the man was bothering the children and fighting with the staff. Officers David Branhan and David Marks were dispatched to the school.

After arriving at the school, the officers located the individual and escorted him to a conference room on the main floor where, although they attempted to calm him down, he began to fight with them. Somehow the subject seized Marks’ weapon and fired at both the officers. Branhan and Marks fell to the floor, mortally wounded. The suspect ran from the school and hid in an apartment. He was later shot and apprehended by Oakland officers.

Branhan, 29, who was survived by his wife, joined the department in 1970. He died at Highland Hospital.

Marks, 26, joined Oakland Police Department in May 1972. He died at Merritt Hospital of his wounds. He was survived by his mother.

State Police Sergeant Elias S. Enriquez was patrolling the California Aqueduct in the afternoon when he apparently slipped, fell into the canal and drowned. Investigators believe he was walking along the concrete lining of the canal and wrapping illegal fishing line around his hand that he retrieved from the canal when he fell into the water. Sergeant Enriquez was 32.

Officer Robert H. Harrison, Jr. and his partner, Officer Robert Wertman. were pursuing a drunk-driving suspect when a motorist changed lanes abruptly in front of the patrol car. Harrison struck the rear of the vehicle and the impact propelled the patrol car over the edge of the freeway into the bottom of the Arroyo Seco channel 25 feet below. Officer Wertman survived his injuries, but Officer Harrison was killed. He was 26 and a four-year member of the Patrol.