Deputy Al E. Stewart died on March 9, 1973 in the Cajon Pass just north of the city of San Bernardino. Deputy Stewart had responded to the Cajon Pass to assist CHP Officer Larry Wetterling, who had been fatally shot by a motorist. As Stewart was searching for this murder suspect, Stewart himself was shot and killed by the same suspect who killed Wetterling. Stewart gave his life to assist another officer.

Officer Ray C. Willert, 25, was the only Turlock police officer to die from a criminal act.

Willert was responding to provide back up to a 211 alarm at the Western Union Bank in Turlock. The first two officers on scene found a man matching the description of the suspects in the parking lot next to the Western Union.

Officer Willert was using proper tactics as he approached the other officers. He was using the Western Union building as cover as he approached. As he passed the glass front door of the Western Union, he was shot in the forehead. He fell to the ground instantly. The person in the lot was not involved. The other officers rushed to Officer Willert’s aid and returned fire. Two suspects were taken into custody near the scene, but another managed to escape the scene. Along pursuit ended with the suspect being shot. This individual is serving a life sentence.

One of the bank tellers inside was on the telephone with a local radio staton when the robbery began. The lady on the radio could hear the robbery as it was happening. She heard the teller begging for her life as the suspects were deciding weather or not to kill every person inside the bank, to leave no witnesses. At that moment Ofc. Willert passed the front window and the shooting began. Ofc. Willert saved every person in the Western Union Bank that day.

Officer Willert was survived by his wife, Connie and three-year-old daughter, Wendy.

Officer William D. “Dusty” McKim, assigned to the Coyote Scale Facility near San Jose, was pursuing a commercial vehicle violator when his patrol car crossed the center divider on U.S. Highway 101 and was struck by a truck and trailer. The 50-year-old patrol officer was killed instantly. McKim, a veteran of 19 years service with the CHP, had been assigned to San Jose for 17 years. Before joining the CHP, McKim had been a firefighter with the city of Modesto.

Waldron G. Karp, a thirty-one year old Tustin Police Department Officer, was murdered on January 7, 1973. Patrolman Karp and an Orange County Deputy Sheriff were attempting to disarm and arrest a deranged man who was barricaded in a house. In the exchange of shots Patrolman Karp was fatally wounded. The Deputy, also wounded, survived. The suspect was arrested.

Carl E. Wilson, a forty-year old sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and his partner came to the Midway City area of Orange County on January 4, 1973. They were in pursuit of a suspect who had shot three people, killing two, at a Cerritos Mall In Los Angeles County. When they went to the front door of the suspect’s house they were met with a hail of automatic weapon fire. Sergeant Wilson was killed immediately.

Donald W. Schneider, a forty year old Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy was Sergeant Wilson’s partner that day in 1973. He too was killed in the burst of gunfire from the house in Midway City. The attack was so sudden that neither officer was able to defend himself. The suspect was shot and taken into custody by an Orange County Deputy Sheriff who, at the time of the shooting, was covering the back of the suspect’s house.

Carl E. Wilson, a forty-year old sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and his partner came to the Midway City area of Orange County on January 4, 1973. They were in pursuit of a suspect who had shot three people, killing two, at a Cerritos Mall In Los Angeles County. When they went to the front door of the suspect’s house they were met with a hail of automatic weapon fire. Sergeant Wilson was killed immediately.

Donald W. Schneider, a forty year old Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy was Sergeant Wilson’s partner that day in 1973. He too was killed in the burst of gunfire from the house in Midway City. The attack was so sudden that neither officer was able to defend himself. The suspect was shot and taken into custody by an Orange County Deputy Sheriff who, at the time of the shooting, was covering the back of the suspect’s house.

Deputy Joseph Herrera was assigned to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Transportation Bureau at the time of his death. Deputy Herrera was in the Mens’ Central Jail compound directing a deputy bus driver maneuver a Transportation Bureau bus when he was accidentally crushed between the bus and a fence.

Ofc. Charles W. Morris Sunnyvale P.D. September 23, 1972 Ofc. Charles W. Morris was dispatched on September 23, to a small strip mall at Hollenbeck and El Camino Real in Sunnyvale in response to a prowler call from the manager of a grocery store who heard noises from the roof. Morris apparently confronted two men who had just burglarized an adjacent drug store by dropping down from the afore-mentioned roof. He radioed for assistance, but before help could arrive, he was jumped by the burglars and shot with his own weapon. One suspect was arrested at the scene, and another was arrested a short time later at his home behind the shopping center. Morris, 34, had been with Sunnyvale Police Department for slightly more than 3 years. He was survived by his wife.

Darrel D. Cate, a forty-five year old Buena Park Police Detective was murdered on September 21, 1972. Detective Cate and his partner became separated while attempting to identify an alleged felony suspect at a residence. Detective Cate had entered the house when gun shots were heard. He was found, gun in hand, fatally wounded.