Patrolman James P. Lewis was shot and killed Dec. 29, while off duty when he identified himself as a police officer. He and two other officers had gone to a bar when they noticed several individuals giving the doorman a hard time. Lewis identified himself as an officer and escorted the men to their car to get identification. Instead, one of the men produced a handgun and shot Lewis.

Although mortally wounded, he was able to return fire, striking the vehicle several times. The bullet holes in the car helped identify the suspects when the car was found several days later.

The suspects were arrested and sentenced to life.

Lewis had been with the San Diego Police Dept. for two years.

His wife and daughter survived him.

Deputy Carlos M. Magana, Tulare Co. Sheriff’s Dept., died in an accident Dec. 9, 1970 as he was responding to a possibly burglary in progress at the Stone Corral Irrigation Water District Office. His patrol unit was struck by a train in heavy fog at an unsignaled railroad crossing.

Prior to joining the Tulare Co. Sheriff’s Department, Magana was Assistant Chief of Police in Fowler for eight years.

Besides his wife, Agnes, he was survived by three children, Todd, 8, Monica, 4, and Greg, 2.

Officer Nathan L. Seidenberg was traveling along U.S. Highway 101 near San Rafael when a drunk driver crossed into his lane of traffic and struck Seidenberg’s patrol car head-on. Both the errant drunk driver and the 26-year-old patrolman were killed instantly. Seidenberg, a native of San Francisco, graduated from the CHP Academy two years earlier and was assigned to the Mann-Golden Gate Bridge Area in November, 1969.