1947 – Anthony Oneto – Inspector – United States Border Patrol

Agent Anthony L. Oneto

Biographical Info:

Born: Unknown
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: 6 years, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details:

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Location: California
Date of Incident: March 11, 1947
Weapon Used: Handgun; .32 caliber
Suspect Info: Executed in 1948

Inspector Anthony Oneto was shot and killed after he and his partner arrested four illegal aliens and the man attempting to smuggle them through Indio, California. The two inspectors had placed the four illegal aliens in the back seat of their vehicle and instructed the suspected smuggler to drive his own car to the Border Patrol office. During the drive, the suspect stopped his vehicle and walked back to Inspector Oneto’s vehicle, which was following the suspect’s vehicle. The man said something to the two inspectors and then produced a .32 caliber handgun and opened fire on the two. Inspector Oneto was killed. Despite being wounded, his partner was able to return fire and wound the suspect. The partner also managed to keep custody of the four illegal aliens until assistance arrived. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and was executed in the gas chamber October 10, 1948. Inspector Oneto had served with the agency for 6.5 years.

Inspector Oneto’s burial site is not known.

1944 – Arthur Simpson – Officer – Riverside Police Department

Officer Arthur Simpson

Biographical Info:

Born:  Unknown
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details:

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 5, 1944
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber semi-auto
Suspect Info: Committed suicide

On the evening of March 5, 1944, a report was broadcast that U. S. Army Lieutenant Swanson, from the Army Camp Anza, located in Riverside, was wanted by the Army Police. This marked the beginning of a series of shootings on and around the military reservation where eight people were shot, three fatally. Army Lieutenant Swanson forced an Army sergeant to drive through the camp’s gate without lights and without stopping. He then ordered the driver to pull over on the wrong side of the road as a civilian vehicle approached. Lieutenant Swanson then shot the civilian driver of the other vehicle in the side and was in the process of forcing him to drive (with the driver’s wife and infant in the rear seat of the vehicle). Having recently left the Police Station, Riverside Police Officers Cole and Simpson saw the abandoned Army vehicle parked on the side of the road and the civilian vehicle and stopped to investigate. As the officers approached the vehicles, Swanson confronted Officer Cole with an Army issued .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun in hand. Officer Simpson ordered Swanson to put the gun away. Instead, Lieutenant Swanson fired two shots, hitting Officer Simpson in the stomach. Officer Cole returned fire, hitting Swanson. Swanson was taken into custody and transported to the Riverside General Hospital in serious condition. Officer Simpson was also rushed to the County hospital, where he died shortly after his arrival. He had been a member of the Riverside Police Department since April 1, 1941.

The suspect was convicted of four counts of first degree murder and sentenced to death. On July 7, 1944, he hanged himself with a bed sheet from a ceiling radiator in his hospital room where he was still being treated for his bullet wounds.

Officer Simpson’s burial location is not known.

1940 – Edward A. Bertino – Officer – Riverside Police Department

Officer Edward A. Bertino

Biographical Info:

Born:  Unknown
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details:
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 3, 1940
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Prosecution outcome not known.

During the early morning hours of February 4, 1940, gunfire from an ambush brought about the death of Riverside Police Department Officer (Traffic Officer) Edward A. Bertino, and critically wounded his partner, Officer Homer Stricklin. The suspect, Alfred Guerrero, had an extensive record with the police. During an argument with his mother on the evening of February 3rd, Guerrero told his mother he would shoot the police if she were to call them. It was later reported he had been drinking alcohol during much of the day. Guerrero’s mother called the Riverside Police Department from a neighbor’s home, warning them that her son had a gun. Officers Stricklin and Bertino drove to the residence in response to the mother’s call. Arriving at the house, both officers exited their patrol car and approached the front of the house. Seeing a shadow in the bushes near the front of the house, Officer Bertino called on Guerrero to throw down his gun and step out of the bushes. Instead, Guerrero opened fire, his first bullet fatally wounding Bertino in the stomach. The wounded officer attempted to return fire, but was unable to obtain a clear view of his assailant. Since the officers were plainly outlined by the light from a nearby kitchen window, Guerrero siezed the opportunity to shoot again, and the next bullet struck Officer Stricklin in the right hand, knocking his pistol from his grip and paralyzing his right arm. Officer Bertino attempted to take cover behind the patrol car, however, the next shot fatally wounded him in the head. Officer Stricklin managed to get back to their patrol car where he radioed for help. When additional officers arrived at the scene, Deputy Chief Roy Thomas kicked in a window and made entry into the house. However, Guerrero had already fled. Later in the morning, officers located Guerrero at the home of Felix Breceda, where he again fled away on foot. Guerrero was later taken into custody by Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputies Perez M. Hayden and Archie Veldenas as he fled the city over the old Mission Boulevard bridge, the murder weapon still in his possession. Traffic Officer Bertino had been a member of the Riverside Police Department since 1920. He was appointed in May of that year and assigned as a traffic officer in October. He lived at 3463 Walnut Street, Riverside, with his wife, Willma Bertino, and their three children, Kenneth, Marylin, and Billy. He was the son of Mary and William Bertino, of Santa Monica.

Officer Bertino’s burial location is not known.

1938 – Clinton Burtner – Officer – Riverside Police Department

Officer Clinton Burtner

Biographical Info:

Born: Unknown
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details:

Date of Incident: November 27, 1938Cause of Death: Traffic Collision (Motorcycle accident)
Weapon Used: N/A
Suspect Info: Received probation – Driving offense

Officer (Traffic Officer) Clinton Burtner had been a Motorcycle Officer for the City of Riverside for eight years as of November 27th, 1938. He was on-duty that day, riding his motorcycle northbound on Main Street through the intersection at 8th Street (now University Avenue) when another vehicle traveling westbound on 8th Street failed to stop for a red traffic signal light. The other vehicle struck Officer Burtner with such force that it jammed his motorcycle against the front of the car and pushed it twenty feet before the car stopped. The crash guard on the motorcycle protected Officer Burtner’s legs, but his head struck the other vehicle’s radiator hood ornament, fracturing his skull. Officer Burtner was rushed to nearby Riverside Community Hospital, where he remained in a coma until he died eight days later as a result of his injuries on December 4th, 1938. The woman driving the vehicle that struck Burtner was issued a citation for reckless driving by the California Highway Patrol sergeant who investigated the traffic collision.  She was not formally booked (there were no RPD officers around to investigate the crash because they had all gone to the hospital). When Officer Burtner passed away, the criminal complaint against the “at fault” driver was changed to “negligent homicide.” A warrant was issued for the driver’s arrest and she immediately posted bail. She later pled guilty to the negligent homicide charge and was granted formal probation without any jail time served. Her driver’s license was also revoked. Clinton Burtner was the 65th traffic collision fatality in California for 1938 when he died in December.

He is buried in Olivewood Cemetery.

1925 – Ross A. Gardner – Inspector – United States Border Patrol

Biographical Info:

Born: UnnownAge: 25
Tour of Duty: 10 months
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details:
Cause of Death: Motorcycle accidentLocation: California
Date of Incident: October 27, 1925
Weapon Used: N/A (Traffic Collision)
Suspect Info: N/A

Inspector Gardner was killed in an on-duty traffic collision while returning to Elsinore, California, from San Diego, California, for a temporary duty assignment. He was riding a government issued motorcycle which had taken to San Diego to get repaired. He struck the rear of a stalled vehicle which was parked in a traffic lane and which had no lights on during darkness. Inspector Gardner had been with the agency for ten months.

Inspector Gardner’s burial locaton is not known.

1921 – Theodore Crossley – Special Deputy – Riverside County Sheriff’s Department

Special Deputy Theodore Crossley

Biographical Info:

Born:  Unknown
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty:  Reserve Deputy
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 22, 1921
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available

Riverside County Sheriff Franklin Pierce Wilson commissioned Theodore Crossley as a Special Deputy. Special Deputy Theodore Crossley was the owner of Crossley Garage and Auto Sales, located at 11th and Main Street in Riverside. He sold the Mitchell Touring Car. Crossley had been a reserve deputy sheriff for a number of years and had frequently been called upon for special assignments. On September 22, 1921, Deputy Crossley was called upon by Deputy Henry F. Nelson to assist in the apprehension and arrest of two grand theft suspects in the Bellville (later to be known as “Belltown”) area of Riverside County. Crossley drove one of his motor cars with Deputy Nelson along with a citizen informant to the area and while in the performance of his duties was shot to death. As the deputies approached the wanted suspects, without warning, one of the suspects opened fire on the deputies, first striking Deputy Nelson in the head. Deputy Crossley, still in the motorcar, was shot in the back. He died instantly. On September 26, 1921, the minutes of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors reflected action that was taken for a reward for the murderers of Deputies Nelson and Crossley. Crossley was survived his widow, who he married on June 6, 1917. Deputy Crossley was born in New York City, New York.

Special Deputy Crossley’s burial site is not known.

1921 – Henry F. Nelson – Deputy – Riverside County Sheriff’s Department

Deputy Henry F. Nelson

Biographical Info:
Born: Unknown
Age:  47
Tour of Duty:  14 years
Badge Number:  Unknown

Incident Details:
Cause of Death:  Gunfire
Date of Incident:  September 22, 1921
Weapon Used:  Gun, unknown type
Suspect Info:  Executed in 1922

Deputy Henry Nelson was employed with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for fourteen and a half years. He was hired on January 7, 1907, and worked out of the Riverside Station. Deputy Nelson’s law enforcement career was with the Riverside Sheriff’s Department and he did not work with any other law enforcement agencies. On September 22, 1921, Deputy Nelson and Deputy Theodore Crossley went to investigate a report of hay theft in Bellville (a settlement north of Riverside also known as “Bell Town.”). When they arrived at the scene, one suspect began shooting at the two deputies. Both deputies were killed. Two suspects were later captured. Deputy Theodore Crossley was the owner of a car dealership, which was located at the corner of Eleventh and Main Streets. He was deputized by Riverside County Sheriff F. P.Wilson after he was elected. Deputy Nelson was survived by his wife and three children. He was also survived by his mother and three brothers. Deputy Nelson was born in Andover, Illinois.

It is unknown where Deputy Nelson is buried.

1913 – Grant C. Alexander – City Marshal – Corona Police Department

City Marshal Grant C. Alexander

Biographical Info:

Incident Details:Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 22, 1913
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available

Corona City Marshal Grant C. Alexander was shot and killed while investigating suspicious persons. He was survived by his wife. No other details are known.

Unknown burial location.

Born: Unknown
Age: Unknown
Tour of Duty: Unknown
Badge Number:  Unknown

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1912 – Del Macintyre – Officer – Riverside Police Department

Officer Del Macintyre

Biographical Info:

Born: Unknown
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 5

Incident Details:
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 3, 1912
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Never apprehended

Officer Del Macintyre was a “Night Watchman” for the Riverside Police Department in February of 1912. He had been a member of the department for a year and was assigned to the Arlington Station, located near a fire station at Magnolia and Roosevelt streets. (In fact, the fire station had an enclosed holding cell inside the building for police use). The City of Riverside had an on-going problem with transients in 1912, particularly in the Arlington area of the City. Officer McIntyre was aware of this fact and, according to the Riverside Daily Press, made regular rounds of the local barns, farmhouses and orange groves to guard against the “Depredations of the hobos.” On the night of February 3rd, Officer McIntyre was checking a barn at the corner of Indiana and Jefferson streets when he found a transient who had broken into the barn and was preparing to spend the night. Officer McIntyre searched the man and found he had “burglary tools”, a police billy club and a bottle of strychnine. Officer McIntyre arrested the man and walked him to the Arlington Sante Fe train depot where he locked the suspect in a box car and then made a telephone call to Police Headquarters to advise of the arrest. Officer McIntyre told the Chief what he had found and was subsequently instructed to take the “Electric car” downtown and book the suspect into the county jail. Officer McIntyre walked his suspect down Van Buren Boulevard. When they reached Canal Street, the suspect ran into the nearby orange groves. Officer McIntyre gave chase and fired warning shots at the suspect’s feet until his revolver was empty. As Officer McIntyre closed the distance between himself and his arrestee, the suspect suddenly turned and fired one shot from a .25 caliber revolver which was believed to have been hidden in the sleeve of his clothing. The bullet struck Officer McIntyre squarely in the upper body and he fell to the ground. A doctor, who lived nearby, heard the shot and found McIntyre calling for help. The doctor rendered medical aid and called other area doctors for help. A call was made to the police station as well as to the Riverside General Hospital and an ambulance was sent. All eleven Riverside Police Department officers (including the Chief) hurried to the scene of the shooting and began a vigorous search for the suspect. The Sheriff of Riverside County and his deputies broadened their search into San Bernardino County (Ontario and Chino), and later into Orange County. The Sheriff of San Bernardino and his deputies took over the river bottom search from Colton and continued further into San Bernardino County. The Riverside Chief of Police deputized fifty men and raided local stores for their guns and ammunition. Dozens of small posses searched for the suspect. One posse included the Mayor of Riverside and another one included the ex-mayor, both armed with rifles. The manhunt lasted for three days and included more than two hundred men before it was finally called off. The Riverside Police Department offered a $150 reward for the capture of the suspect, $50 of which was donated by the Riverside Police Chief (The Chief’s salary in 1912 was $125 a month). However, the suspect was never captured. It is not known why Officer McIntyre did not handcuff his prisoner or how he missed the revolver in the suspect’s sleeve during the search. On this topic, Chief of Police Coburn said, “His only fault is an inclination to be too easy with the prisoners and I believe his actions toward this thug was the cause of his being wounded. The man (suspect) was a wise fellow, whoever he is. He waited until McIntyre had emptied his gun, counting the six shots, turned on him and then shot him like he would a dog.” Officer McIntyre was taken to the Riverside General Hospital, where it was discovered that the bullet had lodged itself in the officer’s spine, causing paralysis of his lower body. The doctors believed that Officer McIntyre’s injury was fatal. He was able to give a dying declaration to the Coroner. However, McIntyre did not immediately die from his injuries. He survived and was wheelchair bound as a result of the paralysis.  He lived an apparently painful life for five more years. Despite the pain and suffering, the Riverside Daily Press noted that Officer McIntyre never uttered a complaint and was well cared for by his family. Officer McIntyre passed away in July of 1917 at 38 years of age.

Officer Macintyre is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Riverside.

1912 – John Baird – Deputy Chief – Riverside Police Department

Deputy Chief John Baird


Biographical Info:

Born: UnknownAge: 33
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Unknown

Incident Details:
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 15, 1912
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 10 years (murdered by fellow officer)

John Baird had been the Deputy Chief for the Riverside Police Department for about one year in 1912. He was known as a very capable officer and had moved up through the ranks very quickly. In fact, when the Chief of Police had passed away from natural causes in December of 1912, Deputy Chief Baird had been named acting chief until a new chief could be appointed. At 33 years of age, Deputy Chief Baird was on the short list for the position.

On the night of December 14th and the early morning of December 15th, Riverside Police Department Patrolman Bert Barrett investigated a “disorderly House” (brothel) on 8th street (now University Avenue) where he had found several women and several cases of beer inside the house. Although eight years before Prohibition, Riverside County was listed as a “dry” county and the sales of alcohol was illegal (as was prostitution).

Deputy Chief Baird responded to the house to assist with the investigation, but soon noticed an odor of alcohol on Officer Barrett’s breath. The Deputy Chief reprimanded the officer for drinking on duty when a third officer intervened and suggested they continue their conversation at the Chief’s office (which was located in the Loring Building at Main and Mission Inn streets).

Back at the office, Deputy Chief Baird reprimanded Officer Barrett once again for drinking on duty. The argument became heated and Officer Barrett called the Deputy Chief a “son of a bitch.” Both men came to their feet and squared off as if to fight. Officer William Lucas came between the two men and prevented a physical altercation. Tempers were cooled and Officer Lucas told both men he was leaving for home (it was about 12:15a.m. by this point).

Officer Lucas collected his belongings and stepped onto the sidewalk in front of the Police Station on Mission Inn street. As Lucas closed the door, a gunshot rang out from inside the Chief’s office. Lucas rushed back into the building and towards the direction of the Chief’s office, hearing two more shots as he went. When Lucas opened the door to the back room where he had just left the two arguing men, he saw Officer Barrett standing over Deputy Chief Baird, who was suffering from three gunshot wounds to the head. Barrett was holding a smoking revolver in his hand.

Barrett turned to Officer Lucas and said “I guess I’ve done it.” Lucas replied “I guess you have.”

The Deputy Chief was still alive when Lucas entered the room, but he was unable to speak. Officer Lucas immediately called for a doctor while Barrett slowly changed out of his uniform and into his regular clothes. Half an hour after having been shot in the head three times, Deputy Chief Baird died of his injuries on the floor of the Chief’s office.

Officer Lucas took custody of Barrett and walked him to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office jail to book him in for murder. While at the jail, Barrett suddenly produced from his coat the same revolver with which he had shot the Deputy Chief and placed the barrel against his own chest in an apparent suicide attempt. However, a Sheriff’s Deputy quickly took the gun away from Barrett and prevented the suicide.

It was unclear why Barrett killed Deputy Chief Baird over what appeared to be a simple argument. However, the Riverside Daily Press stated “There had long been bad blood between the two men and Barret had been drinking. It was rumored some of the older officers resented the placing over them of a man younger in years in the service than themselves, and Baird’s nagging habit irritated an exasperated Barrett, particularly when he was in liquor. Barrett admitted lastthat during the night of the murder, he had been “drinking more than usual.” All Riverside Police Department officers interviewed by the Riverside Daily Press newspaper denied there was any friction or jealousy within the department.

Barrett was eventually charged with Baird’s murder. Barrett pled not guilty and later testified he had shot Baird in self-defense when he thought Baird was reaching for a gun in his coat pocket. Barrett stated he did not mean to kill the Deputy Chief. However, testimony from Officer Lucas, a local doctor and the undertaker all confirmed that Deputy Chief Baird’s gun was securely holstered and under a buttoned coat when he was shot. No other weapon had been found on the body.

Barrett’s trial lasted four days and his lawyers argued for a charge of manslaughter based on self-defense. However, the judge dismissed the theory of self-defense based on the three shots fired. The jury deliberated for seven hours before rendering a verdict of guilty of manslaughter. A “reliable source” told the press that the verdict was a compromise, because in early deliberations, four jurors had voted for 1st degree murder, three had voted for 2nd degree murder, two for manslaughter, and three for acquittal.

The judge sentenced Barrett to the maximum of ten years in prison and Riverside County Sheriff Wilson delivered him to San Quentin the next day via train.

Deputy Chief Baird is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Riverside.