Born: January 19, 1946
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details:
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 14, 1971
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available

Special Agent Richard Morello was shot and killed while conducting an undercover drug buy in Riverside. Immediately after Agent Morello purchased the hashish, the prime suspect shot and killed him. Special Agent Morello was assigned to the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, Santa Ana Bureau.

Agent Morello is buried at Placerville Union Cemetery, Placerville, El Dorado County, California.

Born:  Unknown
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 9 months
Badge Number: 7059

Incident Details:
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 24, 1969
Weapon Used: Handgun; 9 mm
Suspect Info: Apprehended

State Traffic Officer “Sonny” Shewmaker was shot and killed when he stopped a vehicle for speeding on Interstate 10 in the unincorporated portion of Riverside County known as Cabazon (east of the city of Banning). Unbeknownst to him the car he stopped had been stolen. As he was using his radio to “run” the vehicle’s license plate, the suspect opened fire, killing him. The suspect was later apprehended. The suspect was tried, found guilty and was sentanced to serve a life term (no death penalty in California at the time).  Officer Shewmaker had served the Riverside Area prior to his transfer to the Banning CHP Area. Officer Shewmaker had served with the California Highway Patrol for nine months.  He is survived by his wife Candice.

Officer Shewmaker’s burial site is unknown.

Investigator Carter was assigned to the Indio Station. His law enforcement career began with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and he did not work with any other law enforcement agency prior to his hiring. 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 fell asleep. 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 on May 20, 1969. Investigator Carter was survived by his wife and three children.

Investigator Carter’s burial site is not known.

Born: Unknown date
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details:
Cause of Death: Traffic Collision
Date of Incident: May 14, 1969
Weapon Used: N/A
Suspect Info: Not available

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’s Department and did not work for any other law enforcement agency prior to this hiring. 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 fell asleep. 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 and three children. He was also survived by his parents and one brother. Sergeant Rutledge was born in Enid, Oklahoma.

Sergeant Rutledge’s burial site is not known.

Born:  Unknown
Age: 22
Tour of Duty: 1 month
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details:
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Location: California
Date of Incident: June 17, 1967
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Parole hearing in 2003

Inspector George Azrak and Inspector Theodore Newton were shot and killed after being abducted by four persons from a traffic checkpoint on Highway 79 near Oak Grove, California (now in the city of Murietta). The ensuing investigation determined that the two inspectors had stopped a vehicle with over 800 pounds of marijuana. While searching the vehicle, they were overpowered and taken to a remote cabin in a deserted mountainous area. The two had been handcuffed together and were shot and killed as they lay on the ground. Their bodies were found two days later. Four subjects were arrested in connection with the murders one month later. Two of the men were sentenced to 30 years in prison and were released in 1980. The other two were sentenced to life in prison. One of those two was paroled in 1998.  The last paroled in 2003. Inspector Azrak had served with the Border Patrol for one month.

Inspector Azrak’s burial location is not known.

Born:  Unknown
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Traffic Collision (Vehicle Pursuit)
Date of Incident: January 1, 1962
Weapon Used: N/A
Suspect Info: N/A

Officer Larrabee was killed in a traffic collision which occurred during a pursuit of a vehicle. A third vehicle pulled out in front of him during the pursuit. He swerved to avoid a collision and struck a utility pole. He was ejected from the police cruiser which then landed on top of him. Officer Larrabee was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and had been with the Palm Springs Police Department for exactly one year. He is survived by his wife and mother.

Officer Larrabee’s burial location is not known.

Born:  Unknown
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details:
Cause of Death: Heat exhaustion
Date of Incident: August 7, 1961
Weapon Used: N/A
Suspect Info: N/A

Deputy Roger Strong was employed by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for seven months. He was hired on January 1, 1961, and was assigned to the Blythe Station. Deputy Strong began his career in law enforcement with the East St. Louis, Illinois, Police Department in 1956. He moved to Riverside County and began working for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1961. On August 7, 1961, Deputy Strong and RSO Sergeant Ralph Gallagher were on a rescue mission in the desert. They were looking for persons who had reportedly become lost. The rescue jeep that Deputy Strong and Sergeant Gallagher were driving broke down and the two officers began walking back to the highway. Deputy Strong was overcome by the heat and never regained consciousness. Deputy Strong was survived by his wife of five years and their two children.

Deputy Strong is buried at Valhalla Cemetery, Belleville, Illinois.

Born:  Unknown.
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details:

Cause of Death: Traffic Collision
Date of Incident: February 29, 1956
Weapon Used: N/A
Suspect Info: N/A

Deputy Howard Scheffler was employed with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for one year. He was hired on February 1, 1955, and assigned to the Indio Station. Before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Scheffler worked for the Coronado Police Department. Deputy Scheffler was driving back to the Indio Station after performing his duties in Riverside. He had worked patrol the night before. His vehicle veered off the roadway’s dividing strip and rolled several times, killing Deputy Scheffler instantly. Deputy Scheffler was survived by his wife and twin daughters.

Deputy Scheffler’s burial site is not known.