Officer Robert M. Blomo was on patrol when his motorcycle struck a tractor-trailer that pulled out in front of him at an intersection. Blomo’s motorcycle was dragged 82 feet, slid into a curb and burst into flames, killing the patrol officer. The 25-year-old officer had been a member of the CHP for three years and assigned to Baldwin Park since graduating from the Academy in 1966.

Officer Richard G. Woods was enroute to court to testify in a criminal case when he encountered stop-and-go traffic on the freeway. Woods was in the process of changing lanes when the traffic ahead of him came to a sudden stop. The patrol officer’s motorcycle struck the rear of a panel truck that stopped in front of him killing the 29-year-old patrolman. Officer Woods was a member of the CHP for almost three years and had served in Central Los Angeles before being assigned to Baldwin Park.

Nelson K. Sasscer a twenty-four year old Santa Ana Police Officer, was murdered while on patrol duty in Santa Ana on June 4, 1969, within a half hour of beginning his shift. He was shot before he could draw his own weapon. The subsequent investigation resulted In the prosecution and conviction of a professed member of the militant radical black panther party.

Investigator William Carter was employed with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for seven years. He was hired on January 4, 1962. Investigator Carter was assigned to the Indio Station. His law enforcement career began with the Riverside Sheriff’s Department and he did not work with any other law enforcement agency.

On May 14, 1969, Investigator Carter and Sergeant William Rutledge were traveling from Blythe to Indio after working during the morning hours in Blythe. Both men apparently dozed off. The patrol unit they were traveling in smashed into the rear end of a truck and killed Sergeant Rutledge instantly. Investigator Carter died six days later.

Investigator Carter was survived by his wife, Ethel, and three children.

Sergeant William Rutledge was employed with Riverside Sheriff’s Department for seven and a half years. He was hired on October 18, 1961, and assigned to the Indio Station. In November 1965, he was reclassified to Investigator and in June 1967, was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to the Indio Jail.

Sergeant Rutledge began his career in law enforcement by attending the Riverside Sheriff’s 19th Basic Academy. He was hired by Riverside County Sheriff and did not work for any other law enforcement agency.

On May 14, 1969, Investigator William Carter and Sergeant Rutledge were traveling from Blythe to Indio after working during the morning hours in Blythe. Both men apparently dozed off. The patrol unit they were traveling in smashed into the rear end of a truck and killed Sergeant Rutledge instantly. Investigator Carter died six days later.

Sergeant Rutledge was survived by his wife, Barbara, and three children. He was also survived by his parents and one brother. Sergeant Rutledge was born in Enid, Oklahoma.