On December 27, 1993, Officer Martin L. Ganz, a respected member of the Manhattan Beach Police Department, was tragically killed during a routine traffic stop. At around 11:15 PM, Ganz, accompanied by his 13-year-old cousin, signaled a vehicle to pull over near the Manhattan Village shopping mall. As Ganz approached the vehicle, the driver suddenly opened fire with a semi-automatic weapon. Despite his efforts to take cover, Ganz was struck multiple times, with two bullets bypassing his bulletproof vest. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after. His cousin, who witnessed the attack, was unharmed as the assailant's gun jammed when he attempted to shoot him.
The investigation into Ganz's murder was intense and thorough. The police collected shell casings and reviewed surveillance footage from the crime scene. They also interviewed witnesses, including Ganz's cousin and a passerby named Jennifer La Fond, who provided descriptions of the attacker. Despite these efforts, the case initially hit several dead ends. However, a breakthrough came when an anonymous tip pointed to Roger Hoan Brady as the shooter. Although initial eyewitness identifications were inconclusive, further investigation revealed Brady's involvement in another murder in Oregon. This connection led to his arrest approximately eight months after Ganz's death.
Roger Hoan Brady was eventually convicted for the murder of Officer Ganz. In December 1998, he was sentenced to death for this crime. Additionally, Brady received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder of a 55-year-old nurse in Oregon. The conviction and sentencing of Brady brought some measure of justice to Ganz's family and the Manhattan Beach community, who had been deeply affected by the loss of a dedicated officer and beloved individual.
Officer Ganz's legacy continues to be honored. On the 12th anniversary of his death, a section of the I-405 freeway between Hawthorne Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue was renamed the Martin L. Ganz Memorial Highway. This tribute serves as a lasting reminder of his service and sacrifice. Ganz, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, had served with the Manhattan Beach Police Department for five years and was survived by his fiancée, mother, and five sisters. His dedication to his community and his ultimate sacrifice are remembered and respected by all who knew him.
